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<P>A great many years ago, when the world was still young, there came to =
be a=20
race of intelligent people who would forever shape the destinies of =
those who=20
would dwell on the planet after them. Their faces were gentle, their =
speech was=20
soft, and their words were as a river of beautiful thoughts. Elf-like =
ears and a=20
variety of hair colors (anywhere from frosty silver to the gold of the =
sun)=20
strikingly accented their often pale blue eyes, and their ten foot =
height led=20
them to create larger works of architecture than any other race ever =
will. These=20
Loreldians, as they were named, were the first to discover magic, yet =
theirs was=20
a different kind than we have today.</P>
<P>Thoranduril, it seems, discovered the beginning workings of 'magic.' =
However,=20
the word 'magic' in the above text was probably translated wrong, as it =
has been=20
found now know that the said word most likely means 'fate.'</P>
<P>Fate is the underlying force. Fate is that mystical energy which =
governs=20
time, which governs reality. Everything in the world is there because it =
was=20
fated to be so. The Loreldians discovered that they themselves were =
nothing but=20
an extension of this same force, and eventually learned to manipulate =
it. To=20
change the very reality of our world to whatever each saw fit. If they =
needed=20
fire, they fated fire. If they needed a house, they fated a house. If =
they=20
needed eternal life, they fated eternal life. The Loreldians were =
quickly drunk=20
with power.</P>
<P>So the 'Dark Age' is explained, that period of time from which =
nothing=20
Loreldian survived, and in which their mighty empires crumbled to dust =
at the=20
whimsical fancies of each and all. When absolute power is achieved, =
absolute=20
destruction will commence. Yet there were some, wise enough to have =
foreseen=20
that the discovery and widespread manipulation of fate would lead to the =

destruction of the very fabric of fate itself. These great people, under =
the=20
skillful guidance of their leader Pathos, eventually calmed the last =
surviving=20
remnants of the once prosperous Loreldian people. Ashamed, with their =
lands and=20
friends destroyed, most realized that their power was much too great to =
exist.=20
However, some refused to believe that the gift must be abandoned, and =
these=20
fought briefly against the others, imprisoned and banished from all =
known astral=20
planes of existence by Pathos and his followers.</P>
<P>These last Loreldians knew that the only way they could ensure that =
the=20
terrible power would not be used was to leave. To remove themselves from =
the=20
mortal plane, to become beings entirely of light itself.</P>
<P>"And what would happen if those who were banished should attempt to =
return?"=20
Asked Felewyn of Pathos at the great tower of Rhaa.</P>
<P>"Those whom we banished must be kept from influencing the fate ever =
again.=20
But how can we keep them from returning?" The cold winds bit at their =
skin with=20
an icy malice. At length they debated (Perhaps a fate ward?) on how this =
might=20
best be accomplished (Too easily broken), but after many hours they =
still had=20
not decided on a course of action.</P>
<P>In a circle they stood, the twenty-eight, last of the Loreldians. A =
chorus of=20
whispers bounced between them, and the howling wind was deafening.</P>
<P>"My friends.." began Pathos' gentle voice, fated to rise above the =
noise,=20
"Indeed, my kin, for we are all the last of our kind. We stumbled upon =
great=20
folly, and it has spelled our doom. We cannot have it spell the doom of =
all that=20
will come after us, we must make sure that the cycle of life will =
continue." A=20
multitude of agreements was heard.</P>
<P>"We must understand that we ourselves have done a horrible misdeed: =
We have=20
upset the balance of fate, and nearly caused the undoing of immeasurable =
things.=20
We must make sure that this may never be repeated." Once again, =
agreements=20
sprang up from the others.</P>
<P>"I believe.." he paused, beckoning for silence, "that this may only =
be=20
accomplished by Loreldian hands." Instead of a chorus of agreements, =
there was=20
nothing but stunned silence.</P>
<P>"Are you mad?" Shouted a voice from one of the cloaked =
individuals.</P>
<P>"No, young Torkalath. I see no other alternative."</P>
<P>"But...but you said that we are the cause of the problems in the =
first place!=20
We banished the others for speaking just as you are now!" Torkalath's =
brother=20
was one of those who had resisted Pathos' ideas, and was subsequently=20
banished.</P>
<P>"I understand your pain, Torkalath, but you must understand. I do not =
propose=20
that we all should remain here, but I propose that three of us remain in =
astral=20
congruence with this world." Again, silence.</P>
<P>"That would mean," came Urdual's voice, "that those left behind would =
never=20
be able to rejoin the others. Ever."</P>
<P>"I am aware of this. I see no other option. I leave it for you to =
decide:=20
either three remain or all will fail, and I speak not of all of us, but =
of the=20
entire world."</P>
<P>Harsh murmurs in the crowd spoke words of ill toward Pathos. Pathos,=20
frightened of the terrible powers which might fall upon him if the =
majority of=20
the crowd decided to kill him, took a step back. At the same time, all =
present=20
fell silent as a single Loreldian stepped forward and knelt in front of=20
Pathos.</P>
<P>"I will stay." Urdual said. "Balance must be maintained."</P>
<P>All present were shocked into silence. Presently a second Loreldian =
stepped=20
forward, her green hair dancing wildly in the wind.</P>
<P>"I will also stay." Felewyn said, and knelt before Pathos. "To =
protect all=20
who will be."</P>
<P>And then, almost reluctantly, a third stepped forward.</P>
<P>"I will stay as well, but hear you this.." hissed Torkalath's voice, =
"I do so=20
for my own reasons. The world shall be mine, as you have left it to be =
taken."=20
He did not kneel.</P>
<P>All present expected Pathos to force him to leave, but instead Pathos =

smiled.</P>
<P>"Torkalath, you may be doing greater good than you realize. Very =
well!"=20
Pathos turned to the rest of the Loreldians, "We leave behind three of =
our=20
order: Felewyn, who shall enforce order, Torkalath, whom I gather will =
enforce=20
chaos, and Urdual, whose job I deem to be the balancing of the two. And =
thus we=20
leave the world in balance." A cheer rang out over the great valley, the =
Tower=20
of Rhaa shook underneath their feet. And with a blinding light, all were =

gone.</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>In time, three great people appeared on Daragoth (the world in which =
the=20
Loreldians had lived), after the once mighty structures of the =
Loreldians had=20
nearly all crumbled to dust. Humans, about six feet in height with dark =
hair,=20
were the first to arrive. Able-bodied and minded, they quickly =
discovered the=20
secret of 'magic,' a technique which they used to very slightly affect =
fate.=20
Elves, taller than humans (nearly eight feet average), with long hair =
and=20
pointed ears, resemble the Loreldians in many ways: in Elven history, it =
is said=20
that the Elves were created by Felewyn, and in her image. Their grasp of =
magic=20
was unprecedented, and their love for nature caused them to become very=20
connected to natural powers. Dwarves, shorter and stouter than humans, =
live in=20
deep caves, which they shape with their mighty hands. Masters of rock =
and stone,=20
these craftsmen and warriors carved great halls and tunnels through the=20
earth.</P>
<P>In the early days, however, not all was bright. The Loreldians: =
Felewyn,=20
Urdual and Torkalath, fought amongst each other continuously. Felewyn's=20
crusaders for order were met with fierce resistance by Torkalath's =
followers of=20
chaos. The elves and dwarves and men slaughtered each other, fighting =
their=20
guardian's wars. Powerful kingdoms rose and fell, guilds and orders for =
either=20
side were destroyed by their opposition. The Astori Te Lunia (Pillars of =
Light)=20
guild, which included mostly Elves, fought for many decades under =
Felewyn's=20
banner. Yet there were some in the Astori Te Lunia who grew wary of =
fighting=20
wars, indeed this was true of many places. As time went on, deserters =
left the=20
guilds to live in peace.</P>
<P>Two such people were Elves of Astori Te Lunia: Karn and Delya, the =
two most=20
respected warriors of light. They would not have left the fighting had =
it not=20
been for Delya's pregnancy, and for the sake of their unborn child they =
left the=20
battlefield and settled in the great forest, Eswen Sylen. Their child =
was born:=20
a boy, whom they named Aginor.</P>
<P>It was mid <I>ran</I>, the elvish season of spring, in the year 362 =
(in what=20
would later be deemed the Age of War), and light was just falling upon =
the=20
leaves of the great Sylen trees. A rowdy band of young elves were =
gathered in a=20
circle, taunting a young, blonde elf that cringed in the center. The =
young elf's=20
body was quivering with rage.</P>
<P>"Ha! Parents couldn't cut it? Deserter!" Came a shout from one of the =
rowdy=20
elves, followed by harsh laughter and various stones thrown at the young =
elf in=20
the middle. It was no secret who Aginor's parents were, and these types =
of=20
engagements were becoming more and more frequent. A stone smacked Aginor =

squarely on the jaw, and suddenly he stopped moving entirely: his body =
was still=20
like a snake poised for attack. Very slowly he stood up, and the others =
became=20
silent, waiting.</P>
<P>With an unearthly speed Aginor rushed at the boy who had last taunted =
him,=20
furiously pounding his fists again and again into the elf's face. Blood =
poured=20
forth, all was silent. Tears streamed from Aginor's eyes as he struck =
one blow=20
after another. The boy didn't try to defend himself, just whimpered in =
pain as=20
each hit struck.</P>
<P>Aginor's strikes slowed, stopped, and with a slight push the other =
boy fell=20
down on the grass, staining the ground crimson. Aginor stepped back, and =
walked=20
slowly away from the scene. The others helped the taunter back onto his =
feet,=20
and as soon as the taunter had regained his wits, he shouted one last =
insult at=20
Aginor's back:</P>
<P>"<I>Rammata te Mal!</I>"</P>
<P>The other boys looked at the taunter, shocked. This was a serious =
insult; no,=20
an accusation. To accuse an elf of following the ways of chaos, of =
renouncing=20
their beloved creator Felewyn, those were words that appeared in the =
high courts=20
in the most important of trials. Some of them gasped in shock, others =
began=20
speaking in low whispers to the taunter:</P>
<P>"Cristiel...you shouldn't be speaking that way."</P>
<P>"I don't care," came Cristiel's sobbing reply, "That one <B>is.<I>"=20
</B></I>At this, a couple of the other taunters left the scene, ashamed =
they had=20
helped Cristiel, for even though they had taunted Aginor, they would =
never have=20
accused him of such a vile crime. <B><I></B></I>Cristiel, blood still =
streaming=20
on his face, held forward his hand, and pointed at Aginor.</P>
<P>"Your final days are coming! You hear me?!"</P>
<P></P>
<P>Cristiel disappeared, and even four years later he had not shown his =
face in=20
the community. It was agreed that most likely the boy had run away. =
Cristiel's=20
parents were dead, fallen in battle with some of Torkalath's soldiers, =
many=20
years before, and Cristiel had always been something of a rogue after =
that. He=20
was, however, hardly on anybody's mind, as people were busy preparing =
for the=20
Festival of the Stars, a great celebration, which they held once per =
decade.=20
Aginor had been in one before, but he was a very small elf then and =
could not=20
remember much of it.</P>
<P>"So, Aginor, how was your schooling today?" asked Karn as Aginor ran =
in=20
through the door to the tree: Karn and Delya had hollowed out a portion =
of a=20
large Sylen tree, before Aginor was born to them, in which they had =
built their=20
modest home. The leaves outside were slowly failing to fall=92s =
grasp.</P>
<P>"Fine," said Aginor, slowing down suddenly.</P>
<P>"Fine? Come on, you're not an elf of little words."</P>
<P>"Well, we didn't really do much, seeing as how the Festival is =
tonight; even=20
the teachers were so excited they didn't want to do anything remotely =
school=20
related. Advanced Swordsmanship was the only class which wasn't really =
affected:=20
we still did our regular tournament matches," Aginor said, sitting down =
at the=20
table and slicing a piece of golden bread.</P>
<P>"Ahh. Still trying to get the 'Head of the class' spot?" Karn asked, =
as if it=20
didn't really matter to him.</P>
<P>"Er..well, yeah," was Aginor's reply. He knew full well his father =
expected=20
more of him: second place wasn't in Karn's mind as being an 'honorable'=20
position. Of course, when you're up against someone like Idemark (his =
friend and=20
current head of the class), Aginor reasoned that second place was quite =
an=20
honorable position indeed.</P>
<P>Just then his mother came in, delaying Karn's response and allowing =
Aginor a=20
chance to escape, which he took. Aginor hastily said goodbye and rushed =
at the=20
door, eager to meet Idemark and Lilia at their secret place.</P>
<P></P>
<P>Idemark and Lilia had become friends with Aginor shortly after the =
incident=20
with Cristiel: they had heard of the taunting and considered them quite =
low=20
(and, in Lilia's words, 'Vile') things to do a person. They had a secret =
place,=20
which Aginor had found on one of his many explorative trips. A babbling =
brook=20
wound through a mossy bank, with trees dripping with moss and growth, =
and the=20
sound of gentle water all around, with a small (but ancient) stone guard =
tower=20
built into a hill overlooking the stream. Aginor followed the trail, now =
well=20
packed by years of use but still not easy to spot, and began climbing =
the stone=20
steps which led to the fortification.</P>
<P>Idemark was sitting alone inside the fifteen foot space, pouring over =
the=20
pages of some old text-book. He was taller than Aginor, with jet black =
hair and=20
piercing eyes. By his side lay his sword, a silver long sword with =
mysterious=20
engravings on the blade: a family heirloom, or so Idemark always named =
it.=20
Aginor suspected it was more than that, but decided not to mention =
it.</P>
<P>"Hail, Idemark!"</P>
<P>"Ahh, hail Aginor," came Idemark's reply. He continued looking at the =
book,=20
obviously intent on whatever he was reading. Aginor moved a bit closer =
and=20
examined some of the text.</P>
<P>"<U>The Way of the Wand</U>?" Aginor asked.</P>
<P>"Yes. It's <I>fascinating</I>. It explains a lot, for example, why =
magic=20
works like it does. See, it's really like a lever," Idemark's voice was =
distant=20
as he read.</P>
<P>"A lever? How's it like a lever?" Aginor asked. Idemark stood up =
quickly,=20
obviously very pleased to be able to explain something he learned, to =
someone=20
else. Idemark was always like that: not boastful, but eager to share =
knowledge.=20
Keeping secrets wasn't his best skill.</P>
<P>"Well, you see, it's like this: There is a power beneath magic, a =
very=20
ancient one. It's called fate. It has limitless power - magic, as we all =
know,=20
has many limitations, but not fate." Wild hand gestures and waving arm =
motions=20
accented his words flawlessly.</P>
<P>"When you work with magic, you're still affecting fate, but in an =
indirect=20
way. Like if you have a two-ton stone, you can't just lift it and carry =
it=20
around and do things with it, but if you wedge a lever underneath that =
same=20
stone and crank on the lever, you can still move it around, just not as=20
much."</P>
<P>"Whoa, whoa, slow down," Aginor pleaded, "So you're saying that magic =
is like=20
a lever because it affects this 'power of fate' and is easier to use but =
not=20
nearly as powerful as moving fate itself?"</P>
<P>"Precisely!" Idemark was happy with himself obviously.</P>
<P>"Well of course, there are some who can affect fate itself," came a =
girl's=20
voice. Lilia dropped down from her perch in the tree which overlooked =
the fort=20
to land softly, in front of Aginor. Her fiery red hair settled round her =

shoulders as she sat down on a stone bench. </P>
<P>"The Loreldians can work with fate directly. That's why they're all =
gone,=20
except the three watchers. Not like we want them here anyway." Her last =
words=20
would have shocked most elves, but not these three. Aginor, Idemark and =
Lilia=20
had all agreed that the Loreldians were causing much more harm than =
good, always=20
warring between each other. Of course, they'd never really talk evil of =
Felewyn,=20
as she had proved herself countless times to be quite benevolent.</P>
<P>"But must we stay here? The Festival will be starting in less than an =
hour!"=20
Idemark exclaimed, looking at his pocket watch. They pooled the little =
money=20
they had, figured out exactly what kind of treats they'd be able to buy, =
and=20
marched off towards the Meeting Grove.</P>
<P>The entrance to the Meeting Grove was marked by two enormous Sylen =
trees:=20
over twenty five feet across the base, their massive trunks slowly faded =
into=20
the mist above. An archway made from golden leaves and wire had been set =
between=20
the two trees, a symbol stating the protection granted by Felewyn onto =
the area.=20
Great caskets of wine and other drinks were being loaded through the =
gate as the=20
trio arrived. Horse drivers slowly guided the laden animals to the=20
barrel-storage. One of those drivers, a sandy haired elf with kind eyes, =
walked=20
up to them.</P>
<P>=93Hullo you three! What sort=92ve mischief are you up to today?=94 =
It was Larren=20
Gildefor, Idemark and Aginor=92s swordsmanship instructor.</P>
<P>=93Not as much mischief as we would be in if we were in your =
place,=94 replied=20
Idemark, pointing to the caskets on the horse=92s back.</P>
<P>=93Ah, stealing Powder-berry wine, would ye be?=94 Larren asked, =
smiling.</P>
<P>=93Not stealing so much as taking without asking.=94 Powder-berry =
wine was the=20
finest delicacy at the festival, and everybody from young children to =
the elders=20
drank it. There was some magical property in Powder-berry which allowed =
it to be=20
a drink of good spirits, to wash away all wrongs for a time, unlike =
Dwarven ale=20
and liquor which was harmful and addictive.</P>
<P>=93Well that=92s just the same, and I won=92t have it. Now run along =
you three,=20
so-as I can take some of this wine myself.=94 Larren laughed as he =
shooed them=20
away.</P>
<P>=93I really like old Gildefor, there=92s a good heart in him,=94 =
Idemark said, as=20
they walked past an enormous oak table situated with various types of =
cakes and=20
berries, =93Yet I still don=92t understand why they hired him as =
swordsmanship=20
instructor. I=92ve never seen him fight, but I=92d reckon he=92s =
probably too gentle=20
for it.=94</P>
<P>=93A gentle heart makes a steady sword,=94 replied Aginor.</P>
<P>=93That may be so, but a gentle body makes for broken bones,=94 =
replied Idemark,=20
chuckling.</P>
<P>=93Well, all I know is that he plays favorites. I mean, <I>you</I>, =
head of the=20
class? What=92s that all about?=94 asked Lilia, and they all laughed as =
they=20
followed a fenced path around a Sylen trunk.</P>
<P>Through the leaves, he could see the faerie lights glinting in the =
meeting=20
grove beyond. Ragged, with wild hair and missing a few teeth, a young =
elf sat on=20
a branch, watching. The celebration had been on for three hours, but =
timing was=20
critical, as this elf kept reminding himself.</P>
<P></P>
<P>Aginor and Lilia danced slowly, along with the music hummed by the =
Faerie=20
Choir, while Idemark=92s little sister tugged impatiently at his =
pant-leg for a=20
dance (which, as Idemark had told her many times, she would not =
have).</P>
<P>=93Aginor, what do you want to do with your life?=94 Lilia asked =
suddenly, her=20
arms around his neck.</P>
<P>=93I haven=92t thought about it much,=94 Aginor replied, after a =
pause.</P>
<P>=93You wouldn=92t want to grow up here, would you? This place is =
boring, nothing=20
ever happens. They=92re safe, but where=92s the life in safety?=94</P>
<P>=93Safety mustn=92t always mean inactivity.=94 Idemark=92s sister had =
finally=20
convinced him to a dance, and he stood up and allowed her to put her =
small feet=20
on top of his as he slowly revolved. </P>
<P>=93Too much Powder-berry wine. It has caused him to forget how he=91s =
not talking=20
to her after she stole his sword hilt,=94 said Lilia, looking in their =
direction.=20
Aginor laughed.</P>
<P>In the woods beyond the grove, the wild elf stood up slowly, as if he =
had=20
suddenly made up his mind. The wild elf began to move quickly from =
branch to=20
branch, a flicker of steel between the trees, a mad laughter drowned out =
by the=20
Faerie Choir. It leapt to up the branches of a large Sylen tree which =
overlooked=20
the grove itself, hidden from the light by his height above the glowing=20
clearing.</P>
<P>Fixating itself on a branch, and brandishing a stolen sword, it gazed =
down=20
into the clearing.</P>
<P>Idemark tripped over, causing himself and Iquitas to tumble into the =
grass.=20
She immediately started bawling, and Idemark quickly picked her up and =
returned=20
to the table at which his parents were sitting.</P>
<P>=93You=92d think he=92d be good on his feet, but even as the number =
one in=20
swordsmanship he=92s still a bit clumsy,=94 Aginor said, and Lilia =
laughed slightly.=20
A figure in the massive tree above jumped from his branch, like a hawk=20
descending upon its prey, sword held with both hands and pointed at the =
blonde=20
elf dancing with the red haired elf. As quick as lightning his blade was =

deflected with a loud, reverberating clang, and all the elves stopped =
with a=20
gasp.</P>
<P>Cristiel, hair grown wild and clothes made from animal skins, lay =
sprawled on=20
the grass. His leg was bent out of position from the landing. Near them =
stood=20
Aginor and Lilia, still in each-other=92s arms, staring open mouthed, =
first at=20
Cristiel, then at Idemark (standing right next to them), whose upraised =
sword=20
had deflected the leaping attack.</P>
<P></P>
<P>Cristiel tried to get to his feet, but his broken leg cracked =
underneath him=20
and he fell to the ground with a sickening sound. With all the madness =
of a wild=20
animal he looked around himself at the elves, now staring intently at =
him. One=20
elf moved very quickly through the otherwise motionless crowd: Larren =
Gildefor=20
shoved two people out of his way and advanced on them.</P>
<P>=93Aginor, Lilia, are you alright?=94 he asked quickly, eyes flaring =
with=20
anxiety. His voice held a note of anger which none present had heard =
before.</P>
<P>=93Yes, we=92re fine,=94 replied Aginor, as Lilia stepped toward =
Cristiel, who was=20
now whimpering pathetically. Her eyes held no sympathy.</P>
<P>=93Heal him Lilia,=94 Larren said. Lilia looked quizzically at =
Larren, who simply=20
shook his head and repeated, =93Heal him.=94 </P>
<P>She removed a wand from her carrying pouch, pointed it at =
Cristiel=92s broken=20
leg, and chanted an incantation of healing. A blue light sprung forth =
and=20
touched his leg, which twisted back into its normal position. Lilia =
collapsed on=20
her knees from the strain of the cast.</P>
<P>A woman=92s scream from somebody in the crowd, and many elves =
scattered.=20
Pouring through the gates were a host of goblins, horrible green =
monsters who=20
served the ways of Torkalath and chaos. Ravaging the tents, they set =
many fires=20
and fought bitterly with the elves in the clearing. Their true intent =
was not to=20
burn and kill, it seemed, but rather to retrieve Cristiel=92s body. =
Their armor=20
had the markings of two black eyes, separated by a vertical red line. =
Aginor=20
pulled Lilia away from Cristiel, and Larren unsheathed a great sword =
from his=20
belt, and held back a few goblins who attempted to get close to Aginor =
and=20
Lilia. Cristiel staggered onto his feet, smiled wickedly and rushed =
toward the=20
host of the goblins, who crowded around him and swiftly retreated, back =
into the=20
midnight forest where even Elves would have difficulty tracking =
them.</P>
<P>Larren spat on the ground. No longer was his face gentle, but it =
seemed as=20
though his face had become scarred and terrible, as of a great warrior =
who had=20
fought in gruesome battles.</P>
<P>=93Filthy creatures, and how could they invade this grove? The golden =
leaves of=20
Felewyn should have prevented their coming, it is madness and pain to =
enter here=20
for them, but they ran as if Torkalath himself had forced them =
through.=94 Larren=20
turned, sheathed his sword, and walked briskly to Aginor.</P>
<P>=93Aginor, I must speak with you,=94 he said quietly. Aginor looked =
immediately=20
down to Lilia, exhaustedly propped against a tree.</P>
<P>=93Idemark will care for her,=94 Larren explained, then pulled Aginor =
roughly=20
aside.</P>
<P>=93Aginor, those were no normal goblins. That black sword which =
Cristiel=20
carried was meant for you, this you must realize. I recognize</P>
<P>that marking: it is the symbol of Torkalath,=94 Larren whispered, =
=93And it is=20
some mighty power that can make them breach this grove: Cristiel, I =
gather, was=20
supposed to die here after he killed you, as he would not be affected by =
the=20
ward and could breach it much easier than the goblins. But he failed in =
his=20
task, Idemark was too fast for him, so they came and got him. Do you =
know what=20
that means?=94</P>
<P>=93It means that they=92re going to try again, and again. Why did you =
have him=20
healed?=94 At this, Larren grimaced and spat on the ground.</P>
<P>=93I had thought that we might be able to interrogate him, if he =
lived through=20
his fall.=94</P>
<P>=93Interrogate? Then, you knew there were goblins here, in the =
forest?=94 Aginor=20
asked.</P>
<P>=93Oh yes, I=92ve known of their presence for some time. Why do you =
think I was=20
horse driving those caskets of wine, if not to protect them from =
attack?=94 Aginor=20
shook his head, what difference could Larren, one elf, make? =93All of =
that is of=20
no matter anymore, what matters now is your safety, and the safety of =
this=20
community.=94</P>
<P>Idemark strode up to them quickly, and Lilia followed closely behind =
him.</P>
<P>=93What do you mean?=94 asked Lilia.</P>
<P>=93I mean that some dark power has decided that Aginor, the son of =
two of the=20
greatest Warriors of Order, must be killed. This means a danger to all =
that are=20
near him as well,=94 replied Larren. =93And that means he has to =
leave.=94</P>
<P>=93Leave?!=94 cried Idemark, =93How selfish! Just to protect your own =
skins, you=20
would banish him?=94</P>
<P>=93I am <I>not</I> thinking of myself, or even the town=92s matters, =
I am=20
thinking only of <I>you.</I>=94 Larren retorted, pointing a finger at =
Aginor,=20
=93There is no safety here, we are few and we cannot hold back a tide of =
goblins=20
or minotaurs or whatever demon-spawn Torkalath decides to throw at you. =
For your=20
own safety, you must search for a place that is defended, not a sleepy=20
wilderness town where no help can reach you.=94 Idemark glared at the =
ground, and=20
Lilia began to plead with Larren. Aginor, however, simply stood up =
straighter,=20
hardened his face, and asked,</P>
<P>=93When should I leave?=94</P>
<P>=93As soon as possible,=94 replied Larren.</P>
<P>Within a week=92s time, the whole community was buzzing with the =
news. Aginor=20
was graduated from all classes, allowing him the title of =
=91Journeyman=92 if he so=20
wished it, and the entire community was saddened (but a little relieved) =
at his=20
leaving. Aginor, really, had no idea where to go, but at first he =
aspired to=20
moving into Melanion. It was the night before he was to set out on his =
journey=20
that his plans changed, and destiny shaped forever.</P>
<P>Aginor sat in silence on his bed, staring blankly at the sword which =
his=20
father had given him, the blade with which he had become adept in the =
ways of=20
swordsmanship.</P>
<P>=93Whatever shall become of me?=94 he asked aloud, as if expecting a =
response.=20
Having received none, he wrapped the sword into its bundle and placed it =

alongside the rest of his traveling gear. He decided to go for a walk, =
to=20
breathe in some of the nature which he would soon be leaving for =
city.</P>
<P>As he passed the doorway to the attic, he remembered suddenly =
something which=20
he had almost completely forgotten to get: Karn had told him, that =
morning, to=20
retrieve an award which he had received as part of his ascendance in =
<I>Astori=20
Te Lunia</I>, stored in the attic. Opening the heavy door, Aginor =
ascended the=20
candle-lit staircase. Upon entering the attic, he spotted an old chest =
in the=20
corner, apart from which the room was entirely bare. Aginor heaved the =
lid open=20
and peered inside.</P>
<P>Shining dark metal, polished to perfection, with gold engravings =
tracing the=20
figures of dragons and kings, wizards and swords. Metal shaped into a=20
breastplate. Aginor lifted the armor almost effortlessly, as if it were =
made of=20
cloth. Elvish words were engraved upon the chest;</P>
<P><I>When night is high</P>
<P>and hopes are naught</P>
<P>darkness saves</P>
<P>those men who fought,</P>
<P>For even though he=92s</P>
<P>named =93Dark Knight=94</P>
<P>Order is his cause,</P>
<P>he fights for light.</P></I>
<P>Aginor recognized the words almost immediately, as he had been taught =
their=20
meaning in school: The Dark Knight, valiant and fair, fights not for =
Chaos but=20
for Order. The armor of the Dark Knight was rumored to have been forged =
by=20
Felewyn herself, and bestowed first upon Gramelyar, who later founded =
the=20
<I>Astori Te Lunia</I> guild. Upon his father=92s death, Gramelyar=92s =
son took the=20
armor, and so continued the line. It was lost, however, a great many =
years ago,=20
when Remmerin fell into the great lava flow beneath the bridge to =
Torkalath=92s=20
realm. Legend said that it had resurfaced and lay hidden, in the keeping =
of=20
<I>Astori Te Lunia</I>, until such time as a champion worthy to wear it =
could be=20
found.</P>
<P>Aginor was certain: This was the armor of the Dark Knight, and his =
father had=20
spirited it away from <I>Astori Te Lunia</I>, for reasons unknown, and =
had meant=20
him to find it here.</P>
<P>A small, hand written note was lying at the bottom of the chest, =
beneath the=20
other portions of the armor plate. It stated, simply:</P>
<P>=93An award above all others, I give to you now. Keep it well, until =
such time=20
as it can be worn again. - Karn=94</P>
<P>=93Father, I know of no one to whom this title should be presented, I =
am too=20
simple a country elf. The only people who might know someone to whom it =
should=20
be given are the guild members of <I>Astori Te Lunia</I>,=94 he said in =
awe. The=20
armor must be returned, it must be given to a champion. Now, he had a =
goal.</P>
<P>The next morning, Aginor set off down the main road, amidst cheery =
farewells=20
and good lucks. Idemark and Lilia each gave him some gold, a marvelous =
gift from=20
two people who had so little of it. They assured him that they would =
seek him in=20
Melanion once they had graduated, which made his heart feel even gladder =
still.=20
Finally, as he set to the great road, Larren strode up beside him in =
full=20
armor.</P>
<P>=93Didn=92t think I=92d let you travel alone through the wilderness =
did you?=94 he=20
asked as they walked.</P>
<P>=93The thought had occurred to me, but I must tell you now: I do not =
plan to go=20
straight to Melanion, as I have an urgent errand with the <I>Astori Te =
Lunia=20
</I>guild,=94 Aginor responded.</P>
<P>=93<I>Astori Te Lunia?</I> Are you sure you really want to do this? =
Your mother=20
and father defected from their ranks, and I am sure that they will know =
the name=20
of the son of two of their greatest warriors. Karn had always intended =
to name=20
his first son Aginor, and as you=92ve noticed, it=92s not that common of =
a name,=94=20
Larren said.</P>
<P>=93I have in my keeping something which they will probably want =
back,=94 said=20
Aginor.</P>
<P>=93Something your parents stole?=94</P>
<P>=93Stole? Of course not!=94 protested Aginor. However, as he began =
thinking, he=20
had no idea why it was still in his father=92s keeping. It had been =
awarded to=20
him, but he deserted after receiving it and took it with him? Why not =
simply=20
pass it to another warrior of Order?</P>
<P>=93Well, I=92m not sure why my father had it, but I think that they =
will want it=20
back,=94 Aginor said, after a pause.</P>
<P>=93What is this thing?=94 Larren asked.</P>
<P>=93The armor of the Dark Knight,=94 replied Aginor. Larren =
immediately stopped=20
moving and Aginor turned to face him.</P>
<P>=93You mean, your father has the armor?=94 asked Larren.</P>
<P>=93<I>Had</I> the armor. I have it now,=94 said Aginor.</P>
<P>=93Aginor, think very seriously about what you are doing. Do you =
realize why=20
your father must=92ve taken the armor with him?=94</P>
<P>=93It needs to be returned to the guild, so it can be given to =
someone worthy,=94=20
replied Aginor, not understanding what Larren had meant.</P>
<P>=93That someone was meant to be you, Aginor,=94 Larren said. Aginor =
was about to=20
ask =91Why?=92 when a rush of movement in the trees alerted the two =
traveler's keen=20
elven ears. Many beings were quickly approaching the road, cutting =
through=20
underbrush at an alarming rate. Suddenly they burst forth, many goblins =
in=20
shining steel, swords at the ready.</P>
<P>Larren unsheathed his sword and fell into a combative stance as the =
goblins=20
quickly advanced. Two fell to his sword with howls of pain, while Aginor =

unsheathed his father=92s blade and joined in the fighting. A sharp blow =
from a=20
goblin axe tore at the flesh of his shoulder. Larren began to throw the =
small=20
goblins to and fro, slicing with one hand and tossing with the other. =
Without=20
warning a volley of sharp goblin arrows rained from the sky, piercing =
the ground=20
and the trees and.. Larren fell to the ground sharply, a goblin arrow =
protruding=20
from his side. Aginor rushed the line of goblin archers, slashing at =
each in=20
turn. With a sharp strike, the last of the fighting goblins fell to the =
ground,=20
its companions retreating back into the dark woods.</P>
<P>Aginor rushed to Larren, who was coughing wetly on the ground. The =
arrow, by=20
some stroke of fate, had pierced directly between the armor plating he =
was=20
wearing, and a torrent of blood issued from it.</P>
<P>=93Larren, what did you mean, the armor was meant for me? I am not =
worthy!=94</P>
<P>=93The armor was meant for you,=94 Larren replied with extreme =
difficulty. He=20
coughed, issuing forth blood, and within seconds fell to completely =
limp.</P>
<P>Aginor dropped to his knees sharply and tore off a portion of his =
cloth=20
shirt, wrapping it around the wound as he had been taught to do by his =
father.=20
He picked up Larren=92s body and began to march slowly home, the armor =
of the Dark=20
Knight still in his carrying bag.</P>
<P>After some time, when the sun began its long march down the opposite =
end of=20
the sky, Aginor still hadn=92t covered a fifth of the distance to the =
gates to his=20
homeland. He set Larren=92s body down on the road and sat beside it.</P>
<P>=93I can=92t go home, not now. I must go on, and I must leave =
Larren=92s body. No!=94=20
he said sharply, standing up, =93I will not leave him to be carrion to =
these=20
loathsome goblins. He must be given proper rites.=94</P>
<P>Aginor brought his body some fifty paces into the woods, found a =
small=20
compartment created by a log branching over a small alcove, and laid =
Larren=92s=20
body inside it. He covered the body with dirt and leaves, and set four =
stones to=20
mark the spot where he was resting. Tears welled in his eyes as he said =
the=20
elven Chant of Passage, and he made the sign of Order across his chest =
and over=20
the area where the body lay. Then, with a deep sigh, he returned to the =
road.=20
With a newfound determination, Aginor extracted the armor of the Dark =
Knight=20
from his pack and silently donned it. The armor must be returned to the =
guild,=20
but this task would not be accomplished without battle, and the armor =
would=20
prove useful in those skirmishes. He began to tread the long miles to =
the=20
guild-manor, his sword unsheathed.</P>
<P>***</P>
<P>A light snow fell on the training grounds, creating patches of fluffy =
white=20
atop the dark-green grass of the plains of Alelori. A group of older =
students=20
engaged in a massive snowball-fight, and all around the spirits were =
high. A=20
bell tolled, dismissing classes, and waves of students flooded the =
training=20
grounds, eager to watch the first division (always a comical bunch) =
doing its=20
practice drills in the snow. Suddenly, a dull thud resounded among the =
grounds,=20
and the murmur of the crowd instantly silenced. Two more thuds, in =
succession,=20
followed the first. It was the gate-knock. Visitors rarely arrived at =
the=20
<I>Astori Te Lunia</I> guild-manor, excepting the war parties from other =
guilds=20
who often sought a safe place to rest on their long marches. Yet no war =
party=20
was scheduled to arrive for at least another four months.</P>
<P>The massive gates were slowly brought open, with five men turning the =
great=20
crank which operated the heavy chains. One elf stood, alone. A great =
mound of=20
snow had collected on his hair and shoulders, and his eyes were distant. =
He was=20
wearing black armor, laced with gold insignia, and his hair was as white =
as=20
winter frost. Silent, he stepped through the gateway. </P>
<P>=93Halt! Who are you?=94 asked a guard, but the elf said nothing. His =
eyes were=20
distant, as if looking at some far away place. </P>
<P>=93None may enter here without the leave of the council, now state =
your name=20
and purpose!=94 shouted the guard once more. The elf looked at the =
guard, but=20
still said nothing. He had a limp, and he painfully fought to keep a =
dignified=20
stride. As he slowly advanced to the central door he collapsed onto the =
snowy=20
field.</P>
<P>Aginor awoke slowly, with blurred vision, staring up at a wooden =
ceiling.=20
Sitting up with great difficulty, he propped himself on his elbows and =
looked=20
around. He was lying in some sort of white-sheeted bed, and a warm fire =
was=20
blazing in the hearth nearby. The armor of the dark knight had been =
removed from=20
him. Without warning, the door to the small room opened and an elderly =
elf-lady,=20
with neat gray hair tied in a bun, entered the room. She looked =
surprised as she=20
saw him eyeing her.</P>
<P>=93Oh, thank Felewyn, you=91re alive,=94 she said in a gentle voice. =
She set down=20
the tub of water beside his bed and eyed him carefully.</P>
<P>=93I heard from the guard that you seemed to be mute, is this =
true?=94 Aginor=20
opened his mouth to reply, but no sound issued forth. Then, with a =
searing pain,=20
he remembered quick images of violent shouting, goblin screams, and the =
sound of=20
metal impacting metal.</P>
<P>=93Well, the students have begun regarding you as some kind of =
legend. =91The=20
mute who walked from the winter,=92 like that old nursery rhyme says, oh =
how=92d it=20
go.=94 Then she thought for a second and began reciting the words to the =
slow=20
rhythm:</P>
<P><I>Lor ethan tep tanama esa lor lan</P>
<P>mel remera, polymia,</P>
<P>e loma resduna ky lum sycant,</P>
<P>ago dam Lanethan elderat.</P>
<P></P></I>
<P>She stopped abruptly, and said, =93So the students have been calling =
you=20
Lanethan.=94 </P>
<P>Aginor tried to form words, but his voice seemed somehow to be =
blocked by a=20
sharp pain. He cursed in frustration, but that too was silenced. The old =
nurse=20
began to hum to herself while she prepared a small potion over a low=20
stove-flame. Then, slowly, Aginor lay back, and fell asleep with the =
gentle=20
humming of the old nurse in his ears.</P>
<P>When he again felt the strength to walk, he began to explore the =
grounds of=20
the guild-manor. Always in the evenings he returned to the hospital =
ward, under=20
the gentle care of Nurse Eya, as he slowly recovered from the state of =
shock he=20
had arrived in. His memory of the past month returned little by little, =
bits and=20
pieces of frantic running and fierce fighting. Somewhere, amidst that =
horrible=20
time, he had lost the use of his speech; perhaps permanently. Not having =
been=20
educated in the written language of the Akidans (though he was an Akidan =

himself), he was likewise unable to communicate through words until a =
translator=20
could be found to interpret his Common-script.</P>
<P>After a week had passed, he lay silently in his hospital room, trying =
to=20
incite any form of vocal noise. The door opened gently, and Nurse Eya =
entered=20
the room.</P>
<P>=93Lanethan, are you awake?=94 She asked in a whisper, and he nodded =
in=20
reply.</P>
<P>=93Good. The guildmaster has asked me to have you come to see him =
tomorrow, if=20
you are well enough. Do you think you have the strength to meet with =
him?=94 Aside=20
from his muteness, he felt recovered, so he nodded yes.</P>
<P>=93That is well. I will alert him tomorrow. Now get some rest,=94 she =
said, and=20
silently closed the door.</P>
<P>The following day, the appointed hour came. Nurse Eya gave him a =
dress robe=20
and tunic, and led him to the central hall. Glowing with an orange =
radiance, the=20
long hall was decorated with banners of war and intricate =
candle-stationary=20
draped from the ceiling. An enormous wooden table spanned the length of =
the=20
hall, and at its far end was set a massive throne. The guildmaster sat =
upon this=20
throne, eyeing him with cautious eyes. His hair was graying, and his =
face was=20
hard, as if chiseled from stone.</P>
<P>=93You have your father=92s eyes,=94 he said immediately, catching =
him off guard,=20
=93Lanethan, you are Karn=92s son, then?=94 The only answer available =
was a nod.</P>
<P>=93And you return willingly to our guild, and bring with you the =
armor of the=20
dark knight?=94 Lanethan nodded again. The guildmaster paused, then,</P>
<P>=93I am Arcomyr, guildmaster of Astori Te Lunia. The armor should =
surely be=20
mine, yet the elders would not have it be.=94 What could this possibly =
mean? The=20
armor of the dark knight, obviously, must be under his keeping, as was =
the goal=20
from the start.</P>
<P>=93The elders, of course, say that you should keep the armor and be =
immediately=20
re-instated. I asked you to come here for one reason; to request that =
you give=20
up the armor for which you have no use, and instead pass it on to me,=94 =
said=20
Arcomyr. Lanethan, still unsure, looked to Nurse Eya, who was shaking =
her=20
head.</P>
<P>=93Old legends be damned: The armor has the same power, even if the =
wearer=20
isn=92t in the original blood-line, like you are. Yet you have not the =
skill to=20
use the armor to its fullest potential, so that we might once again beat =
back=20
Torkalath=92s army!=94 Arcomyr stood and stepped closer to Lanethan, =
almost pleading=20
with him. Original blood-line? Karn had told him little of their family =
history,=20
perhaps...</P>
<P>=93Now relinquish it!=94 Arcomyr grabbed Lanethan by his collar and =
lifted him=20
clean off the ground. In an instant, a flash of energy and the sharp =
crack of=20
wind filled the room. Arcomyr was blown backwards, and Lanethan gently =
dropped=20
onto his feet. Eight cloaked mages entered the hall, each wearing a =
cloak of a=20
different color. The one with the gray cloak held forth an orb, from =
which a=20
sharp wind seemed to be circulating. Arcomyr scrambled back to his feet =
and=20
glared at the mages.</P>
<P>=93This is not your place, elders. Let us handle our own affairs,=94 =
snarled the=20
guildmaster.</P>
<P>=93Arcomyr, this affair encompasses not only your own guild, but all =
of the=20
guilds. Perhaps the fate of the war rests on this young one, as the =
great Seer=20
has hinted to,=94 said the mage in red in a strong, woman=92s voice.</P>
<P>=93I was appointed guildmaster here, and Karn ran away! The =
blood-line of=20
Gramelyar means nothing!=94</P>
<P>=93Felewyn herself chose Gramelyar, and all his descendants, to wear =
the armor.=20
You would interfere with her wish?=94 Her voice was booming now, and she =
held=20
aloft an orb flickering with flames. Arcomyr instantly cringed and =
backed down,=20
and he glared at both Lanethan and the mages in turn. Then, after a =
pause, he=20
turned and strode quickly from the chamber. The fire mage concealed her =
orb=20
within the cloak, and a mage in blue stepped forward. His face was =
concealed in=20
the shadow of the cloak, but Lanethan could sometimes see hints of shape =
within=20
the darkness. Realizing he was simply standing there, staring at the =
mage, he=20
quickly blushed and averted his gaze.</P>
<P>=93There are many wonders to behold, if one can acknowledge they are =
there,=94=20
said the blue mage in a deep yet serene voice. =93What is your =
name?=94</P>
<P>=93They call him Lanethan,=94 said the mage in white, a kind and =
gentle man=92s=20
voice.</P>
<P>=93Though I can definitely see that Lanethan is not his true name. =
Yet this=20
will do, as his true name would best be kept hidden from those enemies =
of his=20
father and all the good that they stand for,=94 explained the mage in =
black, a=20
snake-like voice from within the folds of the robe. Nurse Eya, who had =
been=20
watching, suddenly ventured a cautious statement,</P>
<P>=93He cannot speak, yet I know that this was not always so. Perhaps =
your magic=20
can heal him?=94 she asked, turning to look at the mage in white. The =
mage held=20
aloft his orb, filled with a light which seemed to calm the soul when =
looked at.=20
The mage in black hissed and turned away from the light. Slowly, the =
mage=20
chanted words, an ancient rhythm which held no intellectual meaning, yet =
somehow=20
the body understood. Lanethan=92s throat suddenly eased, the tension =
which had=20
held back his speech was lifted as if a heavy weight had been =
removed.</P>
<P>=93It will take many days to completely recover,=94 said the Life =
mage, who=20
returned the orb to its concealment within the cloak. </P>
<P>=93Th-thank you,=94 Lanethan said with difficulty.</P>
<P>=93Do not stress it too much,=94 said the Life mage. The mage in =
green stepped=20
forward, holding a bundle wrapped in sheets of beautiful cloth. He =
extracted the=20
various pieces of the armor of the dark knight from within the folds, =
and placed=20
them on the table with great care.</P>
<P>=93Lanethan,=94 he said, =93You have been chosen by fate for a great =
purpose.=20
Indeed, this choice was made long before you were born, when Felewyn =
first gave=20
this armor to Gramelyar, your ancestor.=94</P>
<P>=93My ancestor?=94 Lanethan asked. Nurse Eya, feeling that she was in =
the wrong=20
place, left the room.</P>
<P>=93Yes, you are of the same blood-line as him. The armor is, by right =
and by=20
the magic which flows in it, yours. With it, you can help us defeat =
Torkalath=20
and rid the world of his foul influence,=94 said the green mage. The =
mage in=20
black, who had held his hands over his ears and hummed an annoyed tune =
to=20
himself, finally realized that the life mage had finished his casting =
and=20
returned to stand amongst the others.</P>
<P>=93Each of us,=94 said the fire mage, =93represents a different =
element of fate.=20
Fire, I am. <I>Edra</I>. Anger, love.=94 She held aloft her orb, a flame =

flickering from within its infinite depths.</P>
<P>=93Water, I am. <I>Seria.</I> Mystery, imagination.=94 The mage in =
blue held=20
aloft his orb, and it seemed that the orb was full of water deeper than =
could be=20
viewed, a blue ocean in crystal.</P>
<P>=93Wind, I am. <I>Aero.</I> Motion, breath.=94 The mage in grey held =
aloft his=20
orb, a great wind issuing from within.</P>
<P>=93Earth, I am. <I>Terra</I>. Nature, growth.=94 The mage in green =
held aloft his=20
orb, and it seemed to be pulsing with the radiance of all living =
things.</P>
<P>=93Lightning, I am. <I>Kysar.</I> Speed, pain.=94 The previously =
silent mage in=20
gold held aloft his orb, and electricity crackled and arced through the =
air=20
above.</P>
<P>=93Force, I am. <I>Lagos.</I> Seperation, attraction.=94 The mage in =
brown held=20
aloft her orb, which seemed to pull upon all things in the room.</P>
<P>=93Life, I am. <I>Lunia.</I> Light, healing.=94 The mage in white =
held his orb=20
up, and the gleaming light of nurturing filled the room.</P>
<P>=93Death, I am. <I>Necro.</I> Cycle, ending.=94 The mage in black =
held his orb=20
up, and it seemed to dim the room with its power.</P>
<P>Now, all was in a frenzy, the powers of each of the great mages were =
a=20
torrent of emotion and physical sensation. Suddenly, each lowered their =
orb to=20
be at arm=92s length horizontally, and pointed at Lanethan. With a sharp =
hiss, all=20
the energy in the room impacted him, his clothing tore in places and a =
deep,=20
resounding boom sounded. The mages put away their orbs, hiding them =
underneath=20
their robes. Lanethan still stood, shaking slightly. The mage of fire =
stepped=20
foward,</P>
<P>=93But these powers are nothing compared to you. Had you been a =
normal elf,=20
that would have killed you. Even had you been one of your ancestors, or =
another=20
of your own blood-line, that would have killed you. The seer has =
predicted=20
correctly: You are somehow protected, somehow important. Tomorrow, you =
will=20
enter the ranks of Astori Te Lunia as a general, on Arcomyr=92s orders. =
We shall=20
see where the fate will carry you.=94</P>
<P>Rows upon rows of warriors in training formed a corridor atop the =
training=20
field. At the far end, upon a raised platform, stood Arcomyr. Lanethan, =
who had=20
donned the armor of the dark knight, stood at the other end of the line, =
slowly=20
walking toward the platform. As he passed, the students on either side =
of him=20
saluted him with their swords held high above their head. A small =
section of=20
brass instruments and percussion played a slow, processional =
ambience.</P>
<P>Upon reaching the platform, all the music stopped, and the students =
lowered=20
their salute.</P>
<P>=93Lanethan, it has been decided that you are to be allowed rite of =
passage=20
into the rank of =91<I>Armanat</I>,=92 general of the legion of =
Uhran,=94 Arcomyr=20
announced in a booming voice, =93And though this decision comes without =
prior=20
example of valor or experience, we must honor the elders. Uhran, step=20
forward!=94</P>
<P>A group of about forty trained soldiers, in full battle gear, formed =
a line=20
on the opposite side of the platform.</P>
<P>=93Uhran, will you accept Lanethan as your <I>Armanat</I>?=94 asked =
Arcomyr.</P>
<P>=93Sir, yes sir!=94 came the chorused reply.</P>
<P>=93Kemen, you are current <I>Armanat</I> of the Uhran. Do you have =
any=20
objections to serving under Lanethan as his second?=94</P>
<P>=93Sir, no sir!=94 shouted a tall, dark haired elf of interminant =
age.</P>
<P>=93Very well then. Yet still one thing remains: I have decided to =
challenge the=20
outsider to a battle of arms, my right as <I>Luminant</I>. Are there any =

objections?=94 The elders, seated across from the platform, exchanged =
harsh=20
whispers but evidently chose not to interfere.</P>
<P>=93Then it is settled! Lanethan, arise to the platform as =
<I>Armanant</I>, and=20
as such we will begin.=94</P>
<P>Lanethan, since it was he who was challenged, was given the selection =
of=20
weapons. The bow and arrows he gladly picked, as he had been skilled =
with them=20
since birth, and for his melee weapon he chose a simple longsword. =
Arcomyr,=20
having been given the same weapons, immediately discarded the bow and =
drew his=20
own sword. In a whisper, Arcomyr said,</P>
<P>=93Prepare to die, son of Karn.=94</P>
<P>=93This fight is not to the death, or so I have been told, it is =
merely to=20
first blood,=94 stated Lanethan.</P>
<P>=93Accidents happen. First blood may be last blood.=94</P>
<P>The two fighters stood at opposite corners of the square dueling =
field, each=20
facing the wall as a sign of respect to the other. The wind mage, one of =
the=20
elders, stood in the center of the field. With two arms raised, he gave =
the=20
signal to begin the battle and vanished immediately. Arcomyr bellowed a =
fierce=20
cry, turned and ran down the length of the field toward his opponent. =
Lanethan,=20
unmoving, stared simply at the corner. Twenty paces to go, Arcomyr =
raised his=20
sword above his head, preparing for the fatal strike. Still, Lanethan =
did not=20
move. When Arcomyr was within ten paces, Lanethan quickly turned.</P>
<P>Arcomyr fell to the ground, an arrow protruding from his left breast. =
Blood=20
issued forth from the wound, staining his armor crimson. The eight elder =
mages=20
appeared in the field, slowly advancing toward the two of them. Lanethan =
did not=20
nock a second arrow, but rather moved quickly to Arcomyr and removed his =
first.=20
Tearing a piece of cloth from his cloak, he began to bandage the wound. =
With=20
great difficulty but surprising speed, Arcomyr raised his sword and =
brought it=20
down upon Lanethan.</P>
<P>The sword shattered upon the armor of the dark knight, small frozen =
splinters=20
fell to the ground. The elder mage of water returned his orb to its =
concealment=20
underneath his robe. Arcomyr fell back upon the frost-bitten grass, and =
there he=20
died.</P>
<P>=93It is decided. Lanethan, having been challenged by the <I>Luminant =

</I>himself, will now replace him in his death. Lanethan is the dark =
knight of=20
old, and he has returned to us!=94 </P>
<P>=93I did not wish to hurt him,=94 Lanethan said, yet his voice was =
drowned out by=20
the voices of a thousand others; a cheer filled the air, resounding from =
the=20
mighty walls of the guild-manor. It has been written that this cheer =
could be=20
heard as far as the gates of Melanion.</P>
<P>And thus did Lanethan spend many years. He had accomplished his task: =
to=20
return the armor to its rightful owner, even if this had been himself. =
Yet the=20
armor was of little use to him. It is not the business of the =
<I>Luminant</I> to=20
fight directly in the guild=92s battles, unless it be that the entire =
guild was=20
needed in the terrible war against Torkalath=92s armies of darkness. =
Lanethan=20
spent his time living a life which he knew not how to live: he knew how =
to=20
fight, and how to live as a simple country-man with a simple life, yet a =

position of symbolic grandeur was completely foreign to him. His duties=20
involved, primarily, greeting guests and saying goodbye to guests.</P>
<P>=93I tire of this life,=94 he said one day, to the elder mage of =
fire, =93It is not=20
who I was meant to be. I can feel it here.=94 He pointed to his =
chest.</P>
<P>=93Patience, Lanethan. Bide your time well, as still the Seer =
predicts a great=20
fate for you,=94 she replied.</P>
<P>=93I wish this great fate would come swifter,=94 said he.</P>
<P>=93Be careful what you wish for.=94</P>
<P>On a particularly lonely evening, Lanethan sat alone in his great =
hall. The=20
fragrance of a hearty meal wafted from the kitchens below, and the =
torchlight=20
shown a pleasant golden glow, yet to Lanethan the world seemed as if =
lacking in=20
life. Now a middle aged elf of sixty, his body had seemed to merely =
continue its=20
youthful frame, rather than developing into a hardened warrior=92s body. =
He spent=20
his days practicing his marksmanship, even holding tournaments to the =
effect,=20
yet still he day-dreamed of a day when things were simpler and somehow =
brighter=20
in his childhood.</P>
<P>=93The grass was greener,=94 he said to himself faintly, lost in =
memories of the=20
old fort where he and his friends used to meet. Suddenly, with a jarring =
slam,=20
he was pulled from his recollections. A young elf scout had burst in =
through the=20
hall doorway, and now rapidly approached his seat.</P>
<P>=93Sir Lanethan, I bring news from <I>Dayamar</I>,=94 he said, =
holding forth a=20
sealed letter. <I>Dayamar</I> was a fellow guild of Order, now at war =
with=20
<I>Conrathel,</I> the most powerful of the guilds of Chaos. <I>Astori Te =
Lunia=20
</I>had decided not to move to open war with <I>Conrathel</I> since they =
had=20
been defeated at the Tide-guard. Quickly, Lanethan broke the seal on the =
letter=20
and extracted a hand written note. The writing was scrawled hastily, but =
still=20
legible:</P>
<P><I>Most esteemed Luminant of Astori Te Lunia,</P>
<P>The war with Conrathel has taken a nasty turn: they have</P>
<P>appointed a new general, an elf-lady of immense magical power.</P>
<P>To think, that an elf would defect to the side of chaos!</P></I>
<P>=93Not as remote a possibility as you might think,=94 Lanethan =
thought to=20
himself,</P>
<P><I>It is terrible, she has pushed my guild back past the no =
man=92s</P>
<P>land and we are now in a hasty retreat. Our Luminant, Olswey,</P>
<P>has been slain in battle. I, who was his second, have now taken</P>
<P>charge of the armies. Fear grips the men. We formally request</P>
<P>that Astori Te Lunia house us, and protect us in our moment of</P>
<P>need, and we also request that Astori Te Lunia enter the war</P>
<P>on their appointed side. I begin to wonder if Chaos might</P>
<P>win this war.</P>
<P>Signed, now Luminant of Dayamar, Idemark</P>
<P></I>Lanethan=92s hand fell limp, and the note slowly fluttered to the =
floor.=20
Then, recollecting himself, he picked it up again. Idemark wasn=92t that =
uncommon=20
of a name, though he himself had never met another who shared it.</P>
<P>=93Perhaps..=94</P>
<P>The trumpets sounded as the army of <I>Dayamar</I> slowly advanced =
through=20
the great gate, turning toward the guest-hall. All the three races were=20
represented in this legion: dwarves, elves, and men. Their faces were =
dark,=20
their armor tarnished and muddied, and it was obvious that doom was in =
all of=20
their eyes. Bringing up the rear was a small flanking of officers, and =
finally a=20
tall, dark haired elf in blood stained golden armor. The ranks of the =
<I>Astori=20
Te Lunia </I>stood at one end of the field, and, as they had not been in =
battle=20
for many months, they looked as of a great line of proud warriors, =
shining=20
helmets and spear tips. Lanethan, standing atop the guard-wall, called =
down to=20
the tall, dark haired <I>Luminant</I>:</P>
<P>=93Most esteemed, I welcome you to the guild halls of <I>Astori Te =
Lunia.</I>=20
Your request for assistance has been accepted,=94 at this a tremendous =
cheer rang=20
from the <I>Astori Te Lunia</I> fighters, =93And your request for =
safe-housing.=94=20
The <I>Luminant </I>stopped, and looked toward Lanethan.</P>
<P>=93Thank you, most esteemed. Your voice stirs forth a memory,=94 =
called=20
Idemark.</P>
<P>=93As does yours! Come, meet me in my hall, and we shall dine with =
the officers=20
of both <I>Astori Te Lunia </I>and <I>Dayamar</I>!=94</P>
<P>=93Aginor!=94 Shouted Idemark, for it was he, as soon as he entered =
the hall.</P>
<P>=93That name is long forgotten, Idemark. Lanethan is my name now,=94 =
replied=20
Lanethan. Idemark was shown to a seat directly aside from the=20
<I>Luminant</I>=92s.</P>
<P>=93We all thought you were dead,=94 said Idemark.</P>
<P>=93That may have been for the best,=94 replied Lanethan, at which =
Idemark gave a=20
confused look. Lanethan did not elaborate, however, so the two fell to=20
describing what happened after he had left the village. Lanethan told =
his story,=20
carefully omitting the portions involving the armor of the Dark Knight: =
it was=20
better that the enemy did not know that it had resurfaced.</P>
<P>=93As for myself, when we found Larren=92s grave, the village all =
assumed you=20
dead. Your mother and father, who passed away about ten years ago, were =
stricken=20
with grief,=94 said Idemark. Lanethan felt a pang of anger at himself: =
having=20
never contacted them after his change of name, how were they to =
know?</P>
<P>=93Lilia, too, was devastated. She ran away the night she heard, and =
never came=20
back,=94 Lanethan simply nodded, though it was as if his heart had =
stopped=20
beating.</P>
<P>=93I left about a year after you did, after Iquitas disappeared, and =
eventually=20
ended up in <I>Dayamar.=94</P></I>
<P>=93Iquitas, your sister?=94</P>
<P>=93Yes. One evening, after a series of break-ins by what we assumed =
were=20
goblins, she just disappeared. I=92ve been looking for her ever since, =
but being=20
on the front lines doesn=92t grant me much time to look for her,=94 =
Idemark trailed=20
off. Both sat in silence for a while, until the food was brought up, at =
which=20
point both seemed to have forgotten about it.</P>
<P>=93Enough of the past, now we must think of the present,=94 said =
Idemark around a=20
mouthful of some delicious meat, =93I request that you send with me at =
least three=20
quarters of your army,=94</P>
<P>=93I believe that can be managed, though it leaves very little to =
defend the=20
guildhall while I=92m gone,=94 replied Lanethan.</P>
<P>=93You=92re coming too?=94</P>
<P>=93Yes, it has been too long since I have felt a need for being here. =
Being a=20
<I>Luminant </I>has long denied me the option of fighting the =
war,=94</P>
<P>=93I remember a time when we all used to believe we would be better =
off without=20
Felewyn, and Torkalath, and the other Loreldian,=94 said Idemark.</P>
<P>=93Now, I feel nothing but the urge to defend Order. We will ride in =
a=20
fortnight=92s time,=94 said Lanethan.</P>
<P>***</P>
<P>At first, it felt cold, and still. Unnaturally still. He could see =
nothing,=20
and he could feel nothing; not as if his body had nothing to feel, but =
rather as=20
if he had no senses. Yet he felt cold. Suddenly, in front of his eyes, a =
coin=20
appeared. Inscribed on its white side was a face, gentle and passionate. =
He felt=20
warm now, and full of golden feeling. </P>
<P>Now the coin rotated, and displayed the back side, which was a =
blackness=20
except for the highlights of a face. The face inscribed on this black =
side was=20
mean, screaming and full of torment. Now, he felt cold, and a searing =
pain=20
radiated from, where? The coin turned again, and he felt warm and good =
again.=20
Now again, it turned, and the cold and pain returned. </P>
<P>The coin began spinning, and suddenly it seemed as if there were =
hundreds of=20
reflections of that coin. Reflections reflecting, reflections reflected, =
and the=20
coins that spun were a thousand. The feelings switched so quickly that =
he felt=20
at once that it would become unbearable. Amidst these coins, Lilia=91s =
face=20
appeared. </P>
<P>=93Go on without me,=94 she said, and her face disappeared. Now, =
Idemark=92s=20
appeared. Blood poured from his face, and his eyes were like deep wells. =

Idemark=92s face began to slip away, no, don=92t go! He reached, reached =
with the=20
hands that weren=92t there, but he couldn=92t stop him from going, and =
he couldn=92t=20
stop the coins from spinning! </P>
<P>Suddenly, he caught him! With the body that wasn=92t there, he =
grabbed=20
Idemark=92s face, and he turned it around and stretched it, using it as =
a mask, so=20
as to be Idemark. Then, suddenly, all the coins were spinning in unison. =
They=20
spun so fast that the feeling which overcame him could not be described =
as good=20
or bad. He simply didn=92t feel. </P>
<P>He was in balance.</P>
<P>Lanethan awoke suddenly with a sharp cry. Instinctively, his hand has =
reached=20
for the sword in the case beside his bed.</P>
<P>The dream repeated itself every night for the entire duration of the=20
fortnight, and he told no one of it. News from various fronts reached =
them the=20
day before their departure: the human town of Marsons had been captured =
by the=20
black legion of the <I>Conrathel</I>, a key strategic point for holding =
the=20
northeast territory. Their battle, however, would be almost certainly =
fought in=20
the plains of Daragoth, as their army now slowly marched through them. =
Their=20
next target, unarguably, was the <I>Dayamar</I> guild-manor.</P>
<P>=93An interception, then?=94 asked Lanethan.</P>
<P>=93It=92s our last hope. I want only the chance to avenge Olswey, to =
kill that=20
new dark general of theirs,=94 replied Idemark.</P>
<P>=93Then it is settled. Tomorrow, we ride.=94</P>
<P>=93The elders will stay behind, with the last quarter of your army, =
to defend=20
this grand place?=94 asked Idemark.</P>
<P>=93I would that we could allow their company, but alas, they are =
needed=20
here.=94</P>
<P>Elves, dwarves, and men, marched or rode forth from the great gate. =
The mass=20
of the army was so great that it took nearly an hour for all to pass =
through,=20
and their journey was slow, yet sufficient to reach the army of =
<I>Conrathel</I>=20
before it reached the guild-manor. Over fields they rode, and through =
forest=20
thickets, passing an abandoned castle or deserted goblin fort here and =
there.=20
They were forced to make camp, as their journey would take more than a =
day=92s=20
time, and the dream which had recently befallen Lanethan appeared to him =
again=20
in the night. Still, he told no one of it.</P>
<P>The next morning, as they started moving through the plains of =
Daragoth, they=20
sent scouts ahead and behind to avoid an unexpected confrontation. The =
first=20
scout had not been gone more than an hour when he hastily rode back into =
the=20
ranks, approaching Lanethan and Idemark on their grand horses.</P>
<P>=93Their army,=94 he said, words squeezed between wheezing breath, =
=93is beyond the=20
second ridge. I would estimate it to be their entire division. I do not =
think=20
they expect confrontation.=94 From being so exhausted, it seemed, he =
then fainted.=20
</P>
<P>=93Then surprise may carry us to victory. Forth, and quickly,=94 said =
Lanethan to=20
the other generals, then he turned to Idemark.</P>
<P>=93Didn=92t we send him in the other direction?=94 he asked in a low =
whisper.</P>
<P>The light seemed dimmer around the area where the dark general stood, =
her=20
face covered by a skull mask, hair as black as midnight cascading down =
her=20
shoulders like a waterfall. Beautiful, but terrible. She stood, speaking =
with=20
another, a hunched elf with dark, shifty eyes and a wicked smile. The =
hunched=20
one spoke in a raspy voice, and flinched at her every movement, as if =
expecting=20
to be stricken by a sudden pain.</P>
<P>=93Why have we stopped, m=92lady?=94 he asked timidly, cowering =
before her.</P>
<P>=93Cristiel, your lack of intuition is astonishing. If any counter =
offensive=20
were to be raised, it would almost certainly be here,=94 she replied in =
a rich=20
voice, speaking slowly as if to an infant.</P>
<P>=93Y-yes m=92lady,=94 he replied.</P>
<P>=93See, now, how that scout has spied us,=94 she said, gazing at a =
ridge to their=20
right.</P>
<P>=93What scout? I see no scout, m=92lady,=94 said Cristiel, who was =
looking at the=20
ground. She grabbed his head and wrenched it to look in the direction =
she had=20
indicated. =93Oh, that scout.=94</P>
<P>She raised her hand and pointed at the scout, who suddenly stiffened, =
his=20
back arching convulsively. She made a gesture as if to say, =93Come =
here,=94 and the=20
elf began to walk toward her. He fought the urge, however, often =
tripping over=20
himself as half of his body turned around and the other kept walking. In =
five=20
minutes, he was standing before her.</P>
<P>=93What army do you serve?=94 she asked, her hand still controlling =
him as if=20
with invisible marionette strings.</P>
<P>=93I serve the army of <I>Astori Te Lunia </I>and <I>Dayamar</I>,=94 =
he replied=20
in a monotone dribble.</P>
<P>=93Where are they now?=94 she asked, making a fist with her hand. The =
scout=20
started screaming, holding his head in his hands and shaking it wildly =
back and=20
forth. Upon releasing her fist, he immediately stopped.</P>
<P>=93Two ridges northward,=94 he replied in the same tone.</P>
<P>=93Return to them, now!=94 She removed her hand, and the panicked =
scout began=20
running. The dark general averted her gaze, as if looking at something =
in the=20
distance that she couldn=92t see. After a while, she raised her arm =
again, and=20
whispered,</P>
<P>=93Now, run to their <I>Luminant</I>.=94 She could not see the scout, =
but she=20
knew he would follow her command. Then she stood up a little straighter, =
and=20
began to breathe very heavily.</P>
<P>=93Their army,=94 she said, words squeezed between her heavy =
breathing, =93is=20
beyond the second ridge. I would estimate it to be their entire =
division. I do=20
not think they expect confrontation.=94</P>
<P>Then, still holding her hand forth, she made a fist. Blood, but not =
her=20
blood, poured from within her grasp.</P>
<P>=93Now,=94 she said, wiping her hand on Cristiel=92s torn tunic, =
=93move one quarter=20
of our force to the northern ravine, two ridges beyond their army. The =
rest will=20
advance from here.=94</P>
<P>=93Something isn=92t right here. This scout didn=92t faint, he=92s =
dead,=94 said a=20
general, bent over the scout, listening for breath. There were frenzied =
whispers=20
from some of the <I>Dayamar</I> veterans to the effect of, =92It=92s =
that witch!=92=20
and =92Necromancy!=92</P>
<P>=93Nevertheless, we must move forward. All troops, prepare to =
charge,=94 said=20
Idemark. The various divisions of the great army filed into rows =
predetermined=20
by their generals, some with archers forward and some with archers =
behind. Two=20
great war catapults, drawn each by thirty stout dwarves, followed the =
central=20
line, for their attacks would be first and most devastating. Lanethan =
removed=20
his white cloak, revealing the armor of the dark knight, which gave off =
a=20
radiance at once of power and order, black steel glinting in the mid-day =
sun.=20
There was a fresh dew on the grass beneath their feet as they all stood, =
waiting=20
for the order.</P>
<P>Suddenly, a cry came from one of the generals, who had just spotted a =
massive=20
army approaching from behind them! Instead of turning around to face =
their foes,=20
however, the main force of the army merely took the cry as the signal to =
charge.=20
A move which saved them, at least for the moment, as beyond the ridge =
was=20
perfect cover, an easily defendable area. The catapults roared forward, =
lobbing=20
the first massive boulders into the supposed enemy stronghold, just over =
sight.=20
When they crested the hill, however, they found merely a small portion =
of the=20
actual army, which their troops swarmed over. Many of the rider=92s =
steeds,=20
including Lanethan=92s, were pierced by arrows, and had to be guided =
from the=20
fight so that the Life mages could begin to mend their wounds.</P>
<P>Still, the army flooded into the ravine, overwhelming the forces of =
Chaos.=20
Lanethan charged into the world of teeth, steel, and blood, and his =
golden hair=20
was a whirlwind as he spun, felling many of the evil creatures in long =
strokes=20
of his silver sword. Their swords and arrows, upon striking the armor of =
the=20
dark knight, often would break as if impacted themselves, or freeze and =
split=20
into a million icy fragments. When the fighting was done, he stood and =
cheered,=20
along with the other elves and dwarves and men of the armies of =
<I>Astori Te=20
Lunia</I> and <I>Dayamar</I>.</P>
<P>Yet the rejoicing couldn=92t hold for long. By now, most of the army =
was aware=20
of the much more massive force now bearing down upon them from the =
southward=20
side. The catapults were on fire, and of the brave dwarves who had =
manned them,=20
most lay dead from goblin arrows. Idemark, thinking quickly, ordered the =
army to=20
retreat to the security of the ravine, as now the two forces were =
equally=20
matched and the ravine would surely prove an easier defense. The forces =
moved=20
forward into the ravine and did an about-face.</P>
<P>It was as if a swarm of evil insects were pouring over the land, like =
locusts=20
but not airborne. Thousands of evil creatures, including dwarves, =
humans, and=20
the occasional elf, poured through the land like a tide of black water =
over=20
sandy beach. Yet, just as the tide breaks, so did this swarm, as the =
armies of=20
Order valiantly defied their passage, fighting in a wicked storm of =
yells and=20
magical flares. Their dark general rode atop a wyvern made of black =
smoke, a=20
magical creature which she no doubt had summoned for the battle, =
brandishing an=20
immense black sword. Idemark, now unsheathing his sword, began to fight =
his way=20
through the terrible onslaught in an attempt to reach her. When it =
seemed as if=20
he would never get to her for all the bodies and the fighting between =
them, he=20
saw a strange bending: the fighting between himself and her seemed to =
slowly=20
drift apart, and a road was made clear between the two. He silently =
thanked=20
Felewyn, and, bellowing a fierce cry, ran with all his might toward the =
witch.=20
She, by another miracle of fate, did not hear this cry and did not even =
seem to=20
see him approaching. Holding his sword above his head, he brought it =
crashing=20
down, right into the face of the evil sorceress.</P>
<P>With a splitting crash, her mask split in a vertical line down the =
center,=20
and fell to the ground. She was unharmed, and her face-</P>
<P>=93Iquitas?!=94 shouted Idemark, who stood unmoving in a state of =
shock.=20
Lanethan, suddenly appeared beside him, emerging from the fray with a =
terrible=20
cut on his face.</P>
<P>=93What know you of my name, wretch?!=94 she shouted, raising her =
great black=20
sword and bringing it down upon his head. Lanethan parried the blow for =
Idemark,=20
who was still motionless.</P>
<P>=93Iquitas, it is I, your brother, Idemark!=94 She also stopped, =
stunned, for a=20
moment. Then,</P>
<P>=93Liar!=94 she shouted, and with a wave of her hand, she magically =
disappeared.=20
The fighting was still intense, and whatever twist of fate that had =
allowed them=20
this moment of undisturbed talk suddenly discontinued: the fray closed =
in around=20
them, fighting and biting and the cracking of bones. Lanethan, looking =
around,=20
suddenly saw Cristiel among the fighters, and Cristiel=92s eyes flared =
with a=20
certain insanity as he swung a terrible scythe at many of the warriors =
of order,=20
often killing many of his own warriors in the process. A rage took over=20
Lanethan, as he had felt of old when Cristiel had taunted him, and he =
began to=20
throw people out of the way in an attempt to reach him.</P>
<P>The sky cracked with a tremendous bang, and hundreds of black clouds =
rushed=20
over the sky as if in a tidal wave. The fighting stopped as all looked =
to the=20
sky. A pair of eyes appeared among the clouds: terrible eyes, which it =
was=20
painful to look at. Where there would normally be white, there was only =
a=20
crimson red, and where there would be pupils there seemed to be black =
holes=20
which reached into infinity, drowning out the light wherever they =
focused. A=20
voice like lightning struck the skies,</P>
<P>=93Kill!=94 it shouted, and the warriors of chaos gave a ragged =
cheer; their=20
Loreldian had come, Torkalath was here.</P>
<P>Yet now a light shone, cracking through the barrier of blackness, a =
golden=20
light which seemed to dissolve the darkness. It was like a ray of =
sunshine, yet=20
more brilliant in some ways, and it dissolved half of the black clouds =
of death,=20
taking over the eastern portion of the sky. It seemed, that if you =
looked into=20
that light (as many were doing), you could make out the form of a woman =
amidst=20
the brilliance, a tall woman with long hair, holding a sword. Yet it was =
painful=20
to look at her as well, too brilliant, too radiant of light. It was =
blinding.=20
Her voice came as a singing of a thousand choirs, with a power and a =
beauty=20
which seemed to resound in the hearts of all there,</P>
<P>=93Kill!=94 it shouted, and the warriors of order gave a bold cheer, =
for they too=20
had a Loreldian on their side, Felewyn was here.</P>
<P>Now, between the rift of light and dark, there appeared gray clouds, =
which=20
seemed to hold in them both the light and the darkness. Amidst these =
clouds=20
formed a giant mouth, showing a neutral expression. These did not bring =
any=20
pain, but also invoked no feeling. The lips parted, and the voice that =
came was=20
like the falling of raindrops,</P>
<P>=93These forces are equal. You should not fight.=94 No cheer came up, =
merely a=20
kind of disappointed grumble. The brilliance of the light and the =
terribleness=20
of the black clouds forced him from the sky, and both voices =
shouted,</P>
<P>=93Get out!=94</P>
<P>The fighting continued, with lightning in the skies and the ground. =
Often one=20
Loreldian would destroy an entire portion of the landscape to rid it of =
the=20
warriors atop it - if there was a majority (even a slight majority) of =
warriors=20
of chaos in an area, Felewyn might destroy it, and vice-versa. A =
mountain in the=20
distance crumbled, and its top fell to the ground. When they saw this, =
none of=20
the sides continued fighting, they all just gazed at the new battle: the =
battle=20
in the heavens, the battle which would decide the fate of their world, =
though to=20
have the battle would probably destroy the world in itself. Some, even, =
shouted=20
curses to the Loreldians who now tore asunder the very roots of the =
world=20
itself. </P>
<P>History was repeating, the great age of unbalance would come =
again.</P>
<P>Suddenly, everything stopped. The very air did not move, nothing =
moved. Time=20
stood at a standstill, yet all present could still hear and see and =
feel. They=20
were paralyzed in exactly the last position they were in, but it was not =
a=20
paralyzation of themselves, but a paralyzation of everything. An =
earsplitting,=20
crackling tone filled the air, and they would have covered their ears if =
they=20
could move. Suddenly, in the sky, a crack formed between the light and =
the dark:=20
a valley of stars, as if all barriers were removed and one could see =
forever=20
through space. These stars flickered and went out, then returned again. =
A=20
massive warping of space occurred, and it looked as if all the stars in =
the ever=20
widening crack were being pulled toward the center. Then, a pinpoint of =
light=20
appeared, and the light grew: it was a light both beautiful and ugly, a =
light of=20
good and of evil. The light took the form of a giant face, and the red =
eyes of=20
Torkalath and the magnificent Felewyn and the tranquil Urdual looked in =
awe.=20
</P>
<P>The face of light had a split down the middle: the left side was =
evil, black,=20
and full of hatred, while the right side was full of love and goodness. =
The=20
voices of each of the Loreldians, lightning and choir and rain, rang in =
unison,=20
in awe:</P>
<P>=93Pathos.=94</P>
<P>=93Yes. I have come,=94 said he, in two voices: one was gentle and =
kind, the=20
other fierce, demanding.</P>
<P>=93How is this possible? You banished yourself!=94 cried Torkalath, =
whose eyes=20
flared in a fiery rage. The Loreldians, it appeared, where the only =
things in=20
the world and the sky that were not stilled in time.</P>
<P>=93It is possible, for it must be possible,=94 said Pathos.</P>
<P>=93If you can return, then so can the Lost.=94</P>
<P>=93Yes. Those Loreldians whom we banished so long ago <I>can</I> =
return, as I=20
have proven.=94</P>
<P>=93Rubbish! Lies!=94 shrieked Torkalath - he had been winning his =
battle.</P>
<P>=93No!=94 came Pathos=92 terrible voice, with such a force as to =
shatter mountains.=20
Torkalath=92s image dimmed in submission.</P>
<P>=93Come to my threshhold, I must speak with all of you,=94 said =
Pathos, and in an=20
instant the Loreldians vanished, and time resumed. Elf and Human and =
Goblin and=20
Beast stood, still watching the sky.</P>
<P>A temporary truce was called, and the two armies made camps at =
opposite sides=20
of the valley. As darkness fell, an uneasy sleep entombed most of the=20
inhabitants of these camps, aside from the watch posted on each side: an =
ambush=20
in the night would be disastrous.</P>
<P>Lanethan lay on his side, unable to sleep, staring into the soft =
light of a=20
candle which he had placed in his tent. The candle flickered and pulsed, =
and=20
light danced on the flaps of the tent. And then, as if a sudden gust of =
wind had=20
struck it, the candle was blown out. Yet, strangely, the light inside =
the tent=20
did not diminish; no, it was in fact increased.</P>
<P>The light was coming from outside the tent, on all sides, a =
brilliance which=20
shown through the walls. Cautiously, Lanethan got up from his bed and =
opened the=20
flap, peering out into the light.</P>
<P>There was nothing but a brilliant white to be seen. Well, not =
entirely=20
nothing: there were shadows. Shadows of trees, shadows of great towers, =
even=20
shadows of people. Only their shadows.</P>
<P>Lanethan stepped into the radiance, and began to walk: under his =
feet, it=20
felt like grass and dirt, yet he saw only white. He approached one of =
the=20
shadows of a tree, and promptly ran into an invisible branch.</P>
<P>=93What strange wonder have I found myself in?=94 he asked.</P>
<P>=93You are in my threshhold,=94 came the rich voice of Felewyn, as if =
whispering=20
over his shoulder. Lanethan whirled around, but no one was there. Then,=20
remembering his duties, he quickly knelt.</P>
<P>=93Your threshhold? Stories are told of the magical place where each =
Loreldian=20
emits an entire world, might this be..?=94 he asked, still kneeling.</P>
<P>=93Yes. I am my threshhold, and my threshhold is me.=94</P>
<P>=93But those stories also tell that any mortal who dares to attempt =
to enter=20
one without the blessing of a Loreldian will perish,=94 he said.</P>
<P>=93You are here with my blessing, Lanethan, for I wish to speak with =
you.=94 </P>
<P>Lanethan felt a slight breeze and looked up to find himself kneeling =
in front=20
of a great throne, in a brilliant marble hall which stretched so far =
into the=20
sky that he thought it must go on forever, and the floor below mirrored=20
perfectly the ceiling, so it was as if he was suspended in perpetual =
fall in a=20
grand hall with no ceiling and no floor; no beginning and no ending. The =
only=20
thing in the hall which did not blur his senses was the throne, and =
sitting upon=20
the throne was Felewyn, a shimmering Loreldian beauty with long green =
hair and=20
skin which seemed to radiate a golden glow.</P>
<P>=93Pathos has returned, he has proved the impossible. Times are to =
change, for=20
now we know again our purpose,=94 she began.</P>
<P>=93It has been too long since we had forgotten our true intention, =
the=20
<I>correct</I> intention, of balancing good and evil. Too long have we =
warred,=20
too long have we scarred the lands. We very nearly destroyed the world =
again, in=20
our foolishness.=94</P>
<P>=93Surely, though, the fight for Order is the fight for good,=94 =
Lanethan said=20
proudly.</P>
<P>=93Not necessarily. Order creates unbalance, if it is not properly =
balanced=20
with Chaos, and can be just as destructive. I was blind to this, but =
Pathos has=20
reminded us all of our true place. If all are happy and order reigns, =
then there=20
is no freedom, no individuality.=94</P>
<P>=93Yet this surely is better than having chaos!=94</P>
<P>=93Again, that is what I once believed. Yet chaos is a part of =
balance, just as=20
order is. One is not better than the other.=94</P>
<P>=93The decision the Loreldians have made is a hard one. We will all =
follow=20
Pathos, his rule is balanced. Pathos represents two sides of the same =
coin, he=20
represents the full balance, whereas I am only one part of this coin. =
And, as=20
Pathos orders, we are to not appear in the mortal plane ever again, =
unless it be=20
that we must.=94</P>
<P>=93Then, how will later generations know your words? How will the =
world=20
function without the Loreldians to guide them?=94</P>
<P>=93We are to chose apostles: mortal beings who will defend and =
enforce our=20
ideals on the mortal plane. These apostles will be given some of our =
power, so=20
as to make them immortal.=94</P>
<P>=93Immortal?=94</P>
<P>=93Yes, among many other things. The time has come for us to choose =
apostles. I=20
have chosen you, Lanethan.=94</P>
<P>The infinite vertical expanse seemed to grow larger, and Lanethan=92s =
legs grew=20
suddenly weak.</P>
<P>=93You would grant me that?=94 he asked.</P>
<P>=93The choice is yours. Immortality is not a gift, it takes a strong =
mind and a=20
good heart to maintain ones=92 sanity. I have long watched you, dark =
knight, and I=20
believe that the wheels of fate have brought you here for this purpose =
alone,=94=20
she said in her voice, words flowing like folds of vanilla.</P>
<P>=93For one, you must say goodbye to everyone you have known. You will =
no longer=20
live, you will no longer die, you will simply be, as I have been.=94</P>
<P>Standing in that endless, shimmering tower, Lanethan suddenly =
remembered his=20
dream the night before, the dream of the shimmering coin. Two sides of =
the same=20
coin, the coming of Pathos. =93Go on without me,=94 was what Lilia had =
said to=20
him.</P>
<P>=93I accept.=94</P>
<P>=93Then, only one more step must be performed: you must be tested, to =
see if=20
you really can use the powers of fate.=94</P>
<P>=93I am ready for any test you can give me,=94 he replied.</P>
<P>=93Close your eyes,=94 she said, and he did so, =93Listen to =
yourself.=94</P>
<P>=93Listen to myself?=94 he asked.</P>
<P>=93That=92s all there is to it,=94 she said.</P>
<P>He closed his eyes again, and listened. Listened to the heart beating =
in his=20
chest, listened to the blood flowing in his veins, listened to the soft =
whispers=20
of thoughts.</P>
<P>=93You are doing it wrong,=94 she said, =93You are merely listening =
to your body.=20
You must look deeper! Try again, and listen!=94</P>
<P>Again, he closed his eyes and listened. Listened to his heart, but =
his heart=20
was not what he was listening to. He focused more, intently searching =
himself,=20
until he had reached a place of absolute stillness. He opened his eyes, =
and=20
instead of seeing with his eyes, <I>he </I>saw: clouds, and the sun, and =
the=20
blue sky. Looking around, he saw other people, countless other people, a =

shimmering sea of faces - of humans and elves and goblins. Animals too, =
he saw,=20
such as the great deer of the Sylen forest, and trees and plants and =
rivers and=20
valleys and hills and ravines and the sun and-</P>
<P>With a sudden, painful force, he was pulled back, the shock hitting =
him so=20
hard as to make himself fall down. For an instant, he had forgotten =
there was a=20
floor beneath his feet, and he had screamed in fear of falling into that =

eternity.</P>
<P>=93You did well, Lanethan. You saw fate, and thus you may be my =
apostle. We=20
must join the others now, though I am certain you were first in finding =
it,=94=20
Felewyn said, as he lay face down, staring into the great well. With =
another=20
painful jerk, he found himself staring into space, stars stretched forth =
in an=20
infinite no more terrible than the great expanse had been.</P>
<P>Standing, he saw that 5 other people were there, floating amidst the =
stars,=20
but their faces were shadowed. Also the four Loreldians, in their actual =
forms,=20
were nearby. Felewyn with her streaming green hair and massive golden =
armor.=20
Gentle faced, elderly Urdual, in robes of gray. Torkalath, with his =
black hair=20
and thin face, who seemed to be quite bitterly disappointed. Pathos, =
very=20
elderly yet somehow dignified in robes of which shimmered from black to=20
white.</P>
<P>=93It=92s not fair,=94 said Torkalath, looking at Pathos, =93They get =
all the heroes=20
and I=92m stuck with the hunchback, sniveling little elf.=94</P>
<P>=93You chose him yourself, remember, subconsciously. I dare say you =
can make=20
him powerful enough,=94 said Pathos, who chuckled slightly, =93And now, =
present your=20
apostles.=94</P>
<P>Urdual stepped forward, and illuminated the face of one of the five =
present:=20
a human, with graying hair, and shimmering gray eyes.</P>
<P>=93Myrlance is his name, though it was not his birth name. So shall =
he be=20
known, as apostle of Urdual, who shall seek unbalance and right the =
wrongs,=94=20
Urdual said, his voice gentle and compassionate. Myrlance bowed his head =

slightly, and Urdual touched his shoulder. Instantly, Myrlance seemed to =
glow=20
with a blue radiance, and then they vanished.</P>
<P>Torkalath stepped forward, illuminating a face of the four: it was =
Cristiel,=20
still bent and slightly insane.</P>
<P>=93Cristiel is his name, but it shall now be Kurgoth, for I prefer =
Kurgoth to=20
that horrible Elven name. So shall he be known, as apostle of Torkalath, =
who=20
shall cause chaos wherever he feels like it, and murder and pillage. You =
like=20
that, don=92t you?=94 Torkalath said reluctantly. Kurgoth nodded his =
head very=20
quickly, and Torkalath touched him on the shoulder. Kurgoth suddenly =
grew=20
taller, and robes of dark red wrapped around him, forming an armor of =
blood. A=20
hood covered his head, and his face was shadowed, except for the =
piercing red=20
eyes which seemed to glow with hatred. In an instant, they were =
gone.</P>
<P>Felewyn stepped forward, and Lanethan felt a light pass over =
himself.</P>
<P>=93Lanethan is his name, though that was also not his birth name, and =
he is the=20
dark knight. His heart is pure, and his manner is swift and strong. So =
shall he=20
be known, as apostle of Felewyn, who shall enforce Order and peace.=94 =
She touched=20
his shoulder, and suddenly he disappeared as well, though he was still =
seeing=20
and hearing Pathos, as he now illuminated the last two present in the =
stars.</P>
<P>=93Idemark I have chosen to represent my order, the most powerful of =
the=20
apostles of good. His sister, Iquitas, I have chosen to represent my =
chaos, the=20
most powerful of the apostles of evil. So shall they be, apostles of =
Pathos, two=20
sides of the same coin - the coin of balance.=94</P>
<P>***</P>
<P>So passed five-hundred years in the mortal plane, and Daragoth went =
through a=20
period in which all knowledge of the elves was lost, and their people =
hid from=20
the world. Lanethan, watching from the threshhold of Felewyn, would =
often=20
appear, disguised as a mortal, to keep the faith in Felewyn alive and =
the morals=20
of =91Order=92 intact.</P>
<P>Now, as he had been training with Felewyn, he was adept at =
manipulating fate.=20
He could look into the sea of knowledge and being that it was, and pick =
out an=20
individual person or thing, and create new fated things from the old. It =
was=20
dangerous, but it ultimately gave him the power he required to maintain =
order.=20
Now, for example, he could fate it to be that he was holding an Asderal =
blade, a=20
blade forged for the apostles of Order by Felewyn herself, and instantly =
it=20
would be so.</P>
<P>Tonight (if there could be called a tonight in Felewyn=92s hall, as =
no time=20
passes), he gazed deep into the fate, and caught a glimpse of an =
immensely=20
powerful fateline being created. Two human twins, Jiro and Tumbold, were =
being=20
born, and both were destined to do much. Exactly what they would do was =
still=20
shrouded in the web of fatelines, but he immediately began to take note =
of it,=20
and to watch their lives.</P>
<P>=93Who are these two humans, Jiro and Tumbold, and why are their =
fate-lines so=20
strong?=94 he asked of Felewyn.</P>
<P>=93Fate sees many things, and not always are those things to come in =
the direct=20
action of the things they are bound to. One of these might create a new =
idea,=20
that might take shape in the next hundred years, and eventually become =
some form=20
of moral. Ideas, using fate as the vehicle, are often slow,=94 was all =
she would=20
say. It soon became clear to Lanethan that she had no idea either, and =
was just=20
as interested in their development as he was. He recorded his =
observations in=20
the once small brown journal, which he often had to create more blank =
pages in,=20
so that now it seemed to be hundreds of thousands of pages thick.</P><I>
<P>=93You cannot support them! Not without me!=94 shouted the father, =
while the two=20
babies lay in their crib.</P>
<P>=93I can too support them, you terrible man! I could work in the =
mines too! You=20
cannot take them with you!=94 screamed the woman, who picked up and held =
Tumbold=20
to her protectively. The father, with intense angry, snatched Jiro up =
and=20
stormed out the door. That was the last time either of the parents would =
see=20
each-other again, as I have seen in their fate.</P></I>
<P>Lanethan practiced daily with his bow, having created one =
specifically for=20
his use. For many years, he perfected his aim and technique, while =
enforcing=20
Order in the mortal plane. Still, he watched Jiro and Tumbold. Jiro, it =
seemed,=20
was becoming very disturbed, and it seemed to Lanethan that he would =
almost=20
certainly follow the ways of Chaos. A frightening prospect, as it was =
obvious=20
that this child was destined for some form of great power or =
influence.</P>
<P>When Jiro killed his father, Lanethan lost all hope of influencing =
him,=20
having fated dreams into the child to bring him into the side of order, =
he had=20
obviously failed.</P><I>
<P>Jiro, now a young man with dusty brown hair and ghastly complexion =
</I>[wrote=20
Lanethan in his journal]<I>, sat hunched over a book, reading with a =
fierce=20
intensity that seemed to belong to a madman. He raised his orb, and =
shouted=20
words of dreadful meaning. A hideous shape emerged from the orb, finally =

coalescing into some form of black vomit, yet it moved freely about and =
left a=20
terrible trail of poisonous sludge in its wake. In a cage, the =
reanimated rat=20
skeleton sat watching the new experiment with curiosity. The book, =
entitled=20
=91</I>Necromancy - Your First Steps,<I>=92 still lay open to the =
=91</I>Summon=20
Moorslug<I>=92 page.</P></I>
<P>Yet while Jiro constantly worried Lanethan, Tumbold seemed to provide =
much=20
hope: he had grown into a wise man, a good man, an explorer. He had been =

commissioned to explore the =91great forest,=92 which Lanethan knew to =
be Eswen=20
Sylen, and would certainly meet the elves there. He could think of no =
better way=20
for the elven race to get back into contact with the humans than through =

Tumbold.</P>
<P>Tumbold followed the great trail which seemed to bend forever through =
the=20
giant trees of the forest. It was near nightfall, but the golden sun was =
still=20
filtering through the massive leaves, creating little areas of =
glittering golden=20
sparks in the moist forest air.</P>
<P>=93These trees=92 roots must burrow to the center of the earth,=94 =
thought he, as=20
he passed a fallen leaf which was nearly the size of his torso. There =
seemed to=20
be an abundance of life there, a magical radiance which made the place =
feel=20
timeless: young and yet old as the rivers and the mountains. Often he =
would pass=20
by animals, massive bears which seemed to hold no malice to him, but was =

watchful the same. Indeed, it seemed as if the whole forest was watching =
him,=20
not with fear or hatred, but merely excited curiosity.</P>
<P>Tumbold=92s sharp eyes caught the sight of an almost human figure, =
darting=20
among the trees. He stopped and waited, trying not to make a sound, for =
fear he=20
might disturb whatever was approaching.</P>
<P>Then, suddenly, they crossed the path he had been following. As if in =
a=20
dream, two women and a man crossed merrily along the path, their flowing =
white=20
robes trailing behind them. They seemed to glow golden, and their hair =
reflected=20
the colors of the trees and the sun in flowing waves. As suddenly as =
they had=20
appeared, they were gone, passing deep into the southern trees. Tumbold =
stood=20
rooted to the spot.</P>
<P>=93Elves,=94 he said, and the sound of his own voice seemed to bring =
him back to=20
consciousness. He immediately began to follow them, intent on making =
contact.=20
Yet, it seemed, they moved with as much grace as they did speed, for =
their trail=20
was impossible to find.</P>
<P>He did not have to wait long to see more, however, as he was just =
nearing the=20
outskirts of Melanion, the great elven capital. He met many families of =
elves,=20
none of whom could speak the common language shared by humans and =
dwarves, but=20
all of whom seemed to be expecting him. They greeted him with warmth, =
and=20
directed him to continue following the road (as now it was, the trail =
having=20
become much wider).</P>
<P>He did so, and, arriving at what seemed to be a break in the trees, =
his eyes=20
beheld a most beautiful sight:</P>
<P>A massive wall of ivory, in which the great Sylen trees grew as =
supports,=20
with a gateway atop which was set a great symbol: three trees growing =
side by=20
side, underneath three shining stars, with one star shining above the =
other=20
three.</P>
<P>When he arrived inside the great city, with the ivory pedestals =
ringing the=20
trunks of the massive trees, he was met by a precession, which escorted =
him then=20
to the magnificent castle which lay at the heart of the shimmering city, =
and=20
then directly into the throne room of the king, Peldamyr III.</P>
<P>=93Hail, explorer Tumbold, and welcome to Melanion. I am king =
Peldamyr III,=94 he=20
said, in the common tongue, as Tumbold approached.</P>
<P>=93Hail, king, and thank you for your most hospitable welcome. Though =
I must=20
ask: how is it that you speak the common language?=94</P>
<P>=93The learned elves can speak it,=94 said he.</P>
<P>=93Then you must have known of us for some time,=94 Tumbold said, =
somewhat=20
astonished.</P>
<P>=93Indeed, we have been watching you, the humankind and the dwarves, =
for many=20
years, and now feel the time is right to allow you to meet us,=94 said =
the king,=20
who offered him a drink of water from a fine glass.</P>
<P>=93I feel honored, then, for you have obviously been very selective =
in whom you=20
allow to see you, and whom not,=94 said Tumbold.</P>
<P>=93That is true. Let us hope this will bring together our people once =
again,=20
and end the secrecy. Together, we can prosper!=94</P>
<P>In less than two months time, Tumbold had been appointed ambassador =
to the=20
elven people by the human king, and lived in peace in Melanion for many =
years.=20
Jiro, oppositely, hated the elves with a passion ever since he had heard =
that=20
they were supporters of Felewyn. Still, his influence over fate seemed =
only to=20
grow stronger. He had finally decided what he was going to do: he wanted =
total=20
dominion of the elves, the people who would condemn him.</P>
<P>Four years on Daragoth passed, and Lanethan watched intently over =
Tumbold=92s=20
progress.</P>
<P>=93A truly remarkable human,=94 he said to Felewyn, =93Yet his =
fateline is=20
decreasing, it seems he has done what he came to do.=94</P>
<P>=93He has done much,=94 she agreed, =93Uniting the peoples of the =
world. Lanethan,=20
Pathos has requested a meeting between the Loreldians, and their =
apostles as=20
well.=94</P>
<P>=93Then, let us go,=94 he replied.</P>
<P>They were standing around a great well imbedded in sand, and the =
stars above=20
seemed to cast no light on any place except the immediate area around =
the=20
glowing pool.</P>
<P>Lanethan greeted Idemark and Iquitas with enthusiasm, it had been =
long since=20
they had seen each other. Myrlance, also, cordially greeted them all. =
Kurgoth,=20
however, was not there, though, unmistakably, Torkalath was there, a =
black tiger=20
with glowing red eyes.</P>
<P>=93Friends, I have called you here to discuss with you a required =
balancing=20
act: with the uniting of the peoples, order reigns above all else. The =
world is=20
in need of more chaos if balance is to be maintained. Torkalath suggests =
that he=20
find a human suitable to his liking, and give him a little bit of =
power,=94 came=20
Pathos=92 booming voice.</P>
<P>=93I am against this,=94 said Idemark. Iquitas, however, smiled =
wickedly.</P>
<P>=93As am I,=94 said Lanethan. </P>
<P>=93I would expect no other reaction, but it will be done.=94</P>
<P>=93Kurgoth is away, finding a victim for me to use,=94 growled =
Torkalath.=20
Felewyn, having taken the form of a lion-tamer, cracked her whip near =
his face,=20
causing Torkalath to rear up on his haunches.</P>
<P>The poor dwarves never saw it coming. Cresting the hill over their =
small=20
borderland fort came a hundred skeletons, humans mostly, carrying spears =
and=20
shields and laughing wickedly. Dawn was upon them as the undead horde =
routed the=20
halls, killing all the inhabitants and seizing the fort for their =
own.</P>
<P>=93Have you secured the final rooms?=94 asked Jiro of a skeleton, who =
nodded in=20
agreement. =93Good. This fort is now mine.=94</P>
<P>With a sudden flash of crimson, a bolt of what seemed to be red =
lightning=20
struck the ground not ten feet from where Jiro was standing. Now, smoke =
rising=20
from his body, stood a terrible shape, a horrible demon with glowing red =
eyes.=20
Jiro orders his skeleton to attack it, fearing that the dwarves had =
summoned him=20
as a last ditch effort, but the skeletons were neatly torn in half as =
they=20
approached. Slowly, the figure approached Jiro.</P>
<P>=93You are Jiro, the necromancer?=94 it said in a deep, slicing =
voice, but it=20
seemed to be coming from inside Jiro=92s head. The mere sound of it =
created a=20
sharp, stabbing pain which shot down his spine. Blood poured from =
Jiro=92s=20
forehead.</P>
<P>=93Y-yes, yes I am,=94 he said, cowering.</P>
<P>=93Stop your groveling!=94 screamed the voice, which hurt even more. =
Jiro stood=20
straight.</P>
<P>=93I am Kurgoth, apostle of Torkalath. My master wishes to have a =
=91Disciple=92 on=20
this plane, someone who will do his bidding while I am indisposed,=94 it =
said.=20
Jiro stammered, and Kurgoth knocked him down with a fierce backhand.</P>
<P>=93In return, much power will be given to you, so that you may =
enforce chaos=20
wherever you find it.=94 The mention of the word =91power=92 seemed to =
clear Jiro=92s=20
head, who immediately stood up again.</P>
<P>=93I accept,=94 he said, his eyes flashing with greed.</P>
<P>It was nearly at this same moment when Tumbold received a letter from =
his=20
mother, which he eagerly tore open and read in his chamber in the =
embassy.</P>
<P></P>
<P><I>Dear Tumbold,</P>
<P>Son, I fear that my past is catching up with us. You</P>
<P>had a brother which I never talked about, a brother whom</P>
<P>your father took from me when we seperated. His name was</P>
<P>Jiro.</P>
<P>Now, upon reading the newspaper, I see that someone by the</P>
<P>name of Jiro has attacked and taken a dwarven fortress in</P>
<P>the borderlands. The dwarf who escaped described him as</P>
<P>I would have assumed your brother would have grown to </P>
<P>look.</P>
<P>Tumbold, I fear that this evil man is your brother, but</P>
<P>I also know that you have great influence. Please, stop</P>
<P>the elves from attacking and killing him, try to talk</P>
<P>some sense into him!</P>
<P>~Your loving mother</P>
<P></I>Tumbold set off at once to the borderland fortress, not knowing =
that Jiro=20
had torn it down and in its place built a great castle, named =
=91Veldamyr=92 in=20
mockery of the elven king=92s name. A great palace of evil it was, made =
from=20
Jiro=92s newfound power alone: black spires and a moat of lava, =
surrounded by=20
fearsome demons which Torkalath had sent to him.</P>
<P>Yet, as Tumbold approached, the demons did not attack him. Again, it =
seemed,=20
his arrival was expected. Lanethan watched as Tumbold=92s fateline grew =
ever=20
smaller, and, knowing what was going to occur, pleaded with Felewyn to =
allow him=20
to go to the mortal plane. She refused, stating that, =91It was the way =
of=20
things.=92</P>
<P>=93Hello, brother,=94 hissed Jiro=92s voice. Jiro sat on a throne of =
blackened=20
metal, and blood red tapestries lined the walls of the great hall.</P>
<P>=93So, you know that I am your brother,=94 said Tumbold cautiously, =
eyeing the=20
shadows which seemed to pulse through the room. He was afraid of them, =
though=20
not that he chose to be, but that they emitted fear.</P>
<P>=93Yes, I know, and I know much else besides,=94</P>
<P>=93Then you must know why I have come here. Jiro, your evil doings =
with forever=20
blacken our families=92 good name,=94 said Tumbold forcefully, =
attempting to mask=20
his fear.</P>
<P>=93There is no need to become angry, brother. I am merely doing what =
I have=20
been chosen to do,=94 he said.</P>
<P>=93Chosen?=94 asked Tumbold.</P>
<P>=93Chosen, hand picked by Torkalath to enforce his will in the mortal =
plane. I=20
am Chosen, for once. I am not the one whom the mother did not think to =
protect=20
from our evil father. I am not the one who was locked in a cage for =
forty days.=20
Now, I am the chosen, and you are nothing!=94</P>
<P>=93Brother, your malice is deep, but it is unneeded! Our mother still =
lives,=20
and it is because of her that I am here! She loves you still!=94</P>
<P>=93Lies! Treachery and lies!=94 shouted Jiro, who rose from his seat =
and snarled=20
hideously. His hands were all fingers as he grabbed onto Tumbold=92s =
face. Tumbold=20
began a shrill, constant scream, but even that was silenced. Jiro sucked =
the=20
life from Tumbold, the Elfenmet, and so ingested his soul. Then, with a=20
horrible, vomiting retch, he produced forth a great black ooze. The =
putrid slime=20
formed itself into the shape of a man, and then took on the likeness of =
Tumbold=20
himself. It=92s eyes, however, remained black.</P>
<P>=93You are Beldagar now. You are my slave,=94 said Jiro to the =
horrible=20
manifestation.</P>
<P>Jiro was a horribly evil man, but also frighteningly intelligent. He =
chose=20
carefully his method of attack, so that he could cut off supply lines =
and thus=20
trap the great capitals. Lanethan and Idemark were not allowed to =
interfere, as=20
this was the plan which had been set forth: to allow Jiro to cause a lot =
of=20
chaos, and then be defeated in battle by the forces of good, thus =
creating=20
balance.</P>
<P>Winanadoa, a small human settlement on the great northeast coast, was =
Jiro=92s=20
first target. His army swept over it as nightfall covers the land in =
darkness.=20
Beldagar, who now wore a set of armor which was colored a brilliant =
green,=20
fought on the front lines. Whomever even so much as looked in his =
direction was=20
stricken with a paralyzing fear, the magic of Bafflement which Jiro had =
bestowed=20
upon him. With terrible efficiency, the people of the village were=20
slaughtered.</P>
<P></P>
<P>The elves, however, were ready for him next time. They formed a new =
army, Lor=20
Cledsari (the watchers), to defeat Jiro and his skeleton army. They =
station=20
themselves at Weldar, a seaside elven town, a place which they =
anticipate will=20
be his next point of attack. When the army of darkness flooded through =
the=20
hills, they met valiant resistance from nearly twice their strength in=20
elves.</P>
<P>Jiro, sensing that his army would not prevail, called Beldagar back =
to him, a=20
hill overlooking the town and the sea. He chanted words of terrible =
evil, a=20
spell out of frustration, and the sea retreated in fear. No, not in =
fear, but in=20
preparation for attack. With a thundering crash, the sea returned, but =
it was=20
black as midnight. It flooded through the town and the lands about, and =
with its=20
immense tidal power, dragged the entire town into the sea.</P>
<P>Jiro had made one fatal mistake: His army was also washed away, he =
was left=20
nearly powerless. The surviving elves charged, shouting their new war =
cry: =93Lor=20
Malgoriand rek aleo!=94 which, in their tongue, means =91The =
Shadowbringer must=20
fall.=94 Jiro laughed (though it was the laughter of one bitter and =
defeated) and=20
teleported himself and his evil green knight back to his castle. Thus, =
Jiro was=20
named Lor Malgoriand, the Shadowbringer.</P>
<P><I>=93Fool!=94 he said to himself, as he sat alone in his chambers. =
He banged his=20
fist against the wall, and bloodied his knuckles. I believe I saw him =
crying,=20
but his tears would not last long: Kurgoth appeared again, even more =
furious=20
than he. Lor Malgoriand, though he had power, was not as powerful as an=20
apostle.</P>
<P>=93Fool!=94 said Kurgoth to Lor Malgoriand, who simply nodded his =
head in=20
shameful agreement. I am sure that Lor Malgoriand hears the most =
dreadful voice,=20
but I can detect within it the same scratchy voice of Cristiel, that =
wretch.</P>
<P>=93I give you power to work with, and you waste it!=94 Kurgoth said, =
and advanced=20
menacingly on the depressed figure.</P>
<P>=93If it weren=92t for my master=92s generosity, I would tear you =
from limb to=20
limb. Instead, Torkalath has decided to grant you one more =
chance.=94</P>
<P>=93With what? I have no army,=94 said Lor Malgoriand, his voice =
suddenly clearer=20
and attentive.</P>
<P>=93We shall make you a new army, from a new creature which my master =
has=20
prepared. Look out of your window, and you shall see them awaiting your =
command.=20
They are brutal, and hate all living creatures other than yourself, and =
their=20
strength is much. Pray you do not waste these!=94 said Kurgoth, and he=20
disappeared. I noticed that Lor Malgoriand=92s fate line was ever =
increasing in=20
strength, dangerously large: it nearly mimicked those of the great kings =
of=20
old.</P>
<P>The creatures which Torkalath had given him resembled Goblins, except =
they=20
were much bigger and stronger. Their skin was rough and green, their =
speech was=20
mostly grunting, but they were obviously loyal to Lor Malgoriand. What =
terrors=20
can he create now?</P>
<P></I>Lor Malgoriand=92s next target surprised all: he intended to =
attack Adel,=20
the human capital. Kurgoth, realizing that he would once again throw =
away his=20
power in folly, furiously raged, taking the form of a mighty storm.</P>
<P>Lor Malgoriands=92s power, however, was underestimated. His army =
flooded=20
through Adel, slaughtering hundreds. The houses burned like torches, lit =
ablaze=20
by flaming arrows, and the remnants of the once mighty dwellings of the =
humans=20
toppled into themselves like so many frail sticks of wood.</P>
<P>The creatures which Torkalath had given to Lor Malgoriand proved too =
strong=20
for the human patrols. The last remaining elves in Lor Cledsari named =
these=20
creatures <I>Orcat</I>, the =91scar of the world,=92 and so it is that =
the =91Orc=92 is=20
named today.</P>
<P>Beldagar stood before a small family, the father brandishing a sword =
with a=20
wild look of terror in his eyes. As Beldagar approached, the fear which =
he=20
generated overcame the man=92s body: the father slumped to the ground =
lifeless, a=20
deep slash through his ribcage pouring blood onto the stone street. The =
mother=20
released her child from her protective grip and ran to the father, =
crying out.=20
Beldagar mercilessly stabbed her through the heart.</P>
<P>The child, a young boy, silently approached his parents. His face =
showed no=20
emotion, no mourn or sadness, but above all, no fear. In the child=92s =
hand=20
flashed a flare of silver, a dagger of fine metal, which he quickly =
stabbed=20
through the breastplate of Beldagar, who howled in pain and anger. The=20
shimmering green armor fell to the street, and the hideous black =
substance that=20
he was made of spilled out, steaming with a shrill whistle, =
evaporating.</P>
<P>Even the loss of their terrible general did not stop the armies of =
Lor=20
Malgoriand from destroying the rest of Adel. The houses burned into the =
night,=20
and the great towers crumbled. As the child looked up at the towers =
falling, it=20
seemed to him that they were not towers but memories of his parents, all =

crumbling to dust. Then, it seemed, he could see a woman=92s face, now =
intently=20
looking at him.</P>
<P>=93Mother?=94 he asked.</P>
<P>=93Torkalath has gone too far. Too much power has been given to this =
human, too=20
much chaos has been achieved, the world is not in balance!=94 protested =
Felewyn,=20
as Pathos silently agreed. Even Torkalath seemed to realize his err, as =
he came=20
forward.</P>
<P>=93This is true. Send the apostles there to stop him from continuing =
for a=20
while, as I prepare to take my powers from him. Have them collect the =
body.=94</P>
<P>In the dark castle Veldamyr, Lor Malgoriand sat pondering his next =
move.</P>
<P>=93Adel has been destroyed, I have conquered the last stepping stone =
to=20
capturing Melanion itself. Should I continue, or strengthen my =
position?=94 he=20
asked himself out loud, while sending sharp stabs of pain to a helpless =
elf he=20
had tied up in the corner of his throne-room. Suddenly, a bolt of =
crimson flame=20
struck from the heavens, through the roof, and directly into the center =
of his=20
throne room. Kurgoth stepped out of the light.</P>
<P>=93Lor Malgoriand, Jiro, you are ordered to retreat.=94</P>
<P>=93For what reason?!=94 shouted Lor Malgoriand, forgetting his =
enjoyment at=20
torturing the elf.</P>
<P>=93Too much chaos has been created, by my own masters fault,=94 said =
Kurgoth,=20
regrettably.</P>
<P>=93What if I refuse?=94</P>
<P>=93Then you shall have me to deal with,=94 said Idemark, appearing in =
a flash of=20
light the color of the sky at dawn.</P>
<P>=93And I,=94 said Iquitas, who appeared in a dark smoke.</P>
<P>=93And all of us,=94 said Kurgoth, as Lanethan and Myrlance appeared =
in two=20
separate lightning strikes.</P>
<P>=93Ha! You do not scare me, apostles!=94 said Lor Malgoriand, who =
raised his wand=20
menacingly. Kurgoth approached to grab the wand from his hand, but =
before he=20
could reach his target, Lor Malgoriand casted a terrible flame spell to =
consume=20
him.</P>
<P>The flames seemed afraid to touch him, however, and Kurgoth neatly =
snatched=20
the wand from Lor Malgoriand=92s hands. With his free arm, Kurgoth began =
to=20
strangle him.</P>
<P>=93No, Kurgoth stop. You=92ll kill him, and Torkalath won=92t be able =
to extract=20
his power out of him in time,=94 said Lanethan, who, with a forceful =
gesture of=20
his hand, magically flung Kurgoth across the room. Lor Malgoriand =
coughed=20
hoarsely, and smiled.</P>
<P>=93So, retracting my power, is that your plan? Foolish Loreldians, I =
have a=20
deal with a much greater power now!=94 Lor Malgoriand shouted, shaking =
his fist in=20
the direction of the roof.</P>
<P>Lor Malgoriand=92s body convulsed. He stood stricken, as if in =
intense shock,=20
and twice more trembled. Then he began to scream, a wretched scream =
which seemed=20
to tear the air around him, and his body jerked as if being pulled in a =
million=20
directions at once. Kurgoth laughed, and said,</P>
<P>=93I want his head when it finally pops off.=94</P>
<P>As the convulsions increased, so did the pitch of the screaming, =
until it=20
seemed he was a teapot whistling steam away. Then, suddenly, his =
screaming ended=20
abruptly. A kind of eerie silence filled the room, as all sat in =
astonishment.=20
Lor Malgoriand, now slumped on the ground, began to laugh. His voice was =
no=20
longer human, but now a deep, resonating voice which seemed to radiate a =
sense=20
of disharmony. He leapt to his feet, still laughing, and where his eyes =
ought to=20
have been were two great, gaping holes of nothingness. When Lanethan =
focused his=20
eyes on them, it was as if their great blackness was infinite, and he =
could no=20
longer see anything until he averted his gaze.</P>
<P>Urdual=92s voice suddenly filled the room, full of fright,</P>
<P>=93Apostles, come here now! Get away from him! It=92s the power of =
the Lost!=94</P>
<P>They immediately reappeared in Pathos=92 threshhold.</P>
<P>=93The Lost? Who are the Lost?=94 asked Idemark. Pathos=92 great =
awareness turned=20
unto the apostles, and explained.</P>
<P>=93In the time when the Loreldians fell, there were two separate =
groups of=20
survivors. The first, led by me, advocated banishment of ourselves in =
order to=20
preserve balance. The second favored unbalance, saying that we should =
recreate=20
the world and live as mortal gods to all people. Their group attacked my =
group,=20
attempting to kill us in order to carry out their wishes, but we had =
anticipated=20
them: we banished them from this plane, just as we later banished =
ourselves.=20
Felewyn, Urdual and Torkalath were left behind in order to safeguard the =
world=20
in case these banished were ever to try to return.=94</P>
<P>=93And you believe its these Loreldians, the Lost, that are now =
giving their=20
power to Lor Malgoriand?=94 asked Lanethan. He took a quick glance into =
fate, and=20
noted, with extreme fear, that Lor Malgoriand=92s fate-line now seemed =
even larger=20
than his own.</P>
<P>=93He must be stopped. The apostles can do it, they=92re immortal,=94 =
said=20
Torkalath. Lor Malgoriand=92s army, in the meantime, was now marching =
toward=20
Melanion, his Orcs thrashing through the forest.</P>
<P>=93I agree,=94 said Idemark, =93I say we kill this being now, before =
it causes even=20
more unbalance.=94</P>
<P>Melanion=92s great wall was under siege, thousands of Orcs rushing =
madly up=20
great siege engines, breaching the defenses of the great city. Lor =
Malgoriand,=20
barely human, fought at the front lines with the rest of his army, =
cutting their=20
way through the brave Elven warriors. Arrows, when fired at him, broke =
in half=20
before they even reached him.</P>
<P>Amidst the fray, five figures appeared. Lanethan, among them, was =
wearing the=20
armor of the Dark Knight, brandishing a golden bow.</P>
<P>=93Lor Malgoriand of the Lost, you have betrayed all powers of good. =
Your body=20
is warped beyond recognition, your mind is twisted under Their will. =
Prepare=20
yourself for the merciless escape from the mortal coil we are about to =
impart to=20
you,=94 said Idemark, who fated the fighting to recede around them.</P>
<P>The apostles quickly charged, weapons drawn. First, the great =
Dreadscythe of=20
Kurgoth=92s use, broke. Lanethan=92s bow, as well, split in half. Only =
Idemark=92s=20
blade, the golden sword fated to exist from the ancient Loreldian city =
of=20
Asderal, remained intact, though it hummed like a tuning fork from the =
power=20
radiating off Lor Malgoriand. Lanethan immediately fated himself to have =
an=20
Asderal blade, and so he held one. He and Idemark slashed madly at the =
horrible=20
being, but each of their strikes seemed to pass through him as if he =
weren=92t=20
there.</P>
<P>=93Fool,=94 said Lor Malgoriand, his voice like death.</P>
<P>The once frail necromancer grabbed Idemark by the throat, and lifted =
him off=20
his feet. Lanethan charged again, but was knocked onto his back by an =
invisible=20
force.</P>
<P>Idemark whimpered slightly as a great golden glow began to encompass =
his=20
body. Slowly, this golden life force was sucked into Lor Malgoriand=92s =
open=20
mouth.</P>
<P>=93Idemark!=94 shouted Iquitas, who was frozen in place by the =
terrible=20
force.</P>
<P>=93Farewell, Iquitas. I=91ll be gone forever, though I will be seeing =
you again=20
shortly,=94 he said, winking to Lanethan. What could that wink mean? The =
life=20
force, now, had all been sucked into Lor Malgoriand, and Idemark=92s =
body fell=20
limp to the ground. In a terrible flash, his body was gone.</P>
<P>=93No! It can=92t be!=94 shouted Lanethan, who was shedding angry =
tears.</P>
<P>=93We must retreat,=94 said Myrlance, who helped Lanethan up. =
Lanethan=20
immediately tried to charge Lor Malgoriand again, while the black =
creature=20
laughed wickedly, but Myrlance held him back.</P>
<P>=93It is not safe. We go now, back to the astral,=94 Myrlance =
whispered to him.=20
In a flash, the remaining apostles were gone.</P>
<P>They watched in terror as Melanion began to blaze in places, and the =
elves=92=20
bodies piled up in the streets.</P>
<P>=93How could this have happened?=94 asked Iquitas.</P>
<P>=93There are some powers which we have no comprehension of, most =
notably the=20
powers of the Lost. It seems that we cannot assume immortality among =
them=20
anymore,=94 replied Pathos=92 gentle but somehow terrible voice.</P>
<P>=93Th-then, then you mean he=92s dead?=94 she asked.</P>
<P>=93His soul has gone to the soul-well, where all souls go when their =
bodies=20
fail.=94</P>
<P>=93And with his bodies=92 failing, we too have failed? The world is =
now left to=20
the Lost?=94 asked Lanethan.</P>
<P>=93No, for though the power they have entrusted in Lor Malgoriand is =
great,=20
that power is no match for <I>our</I> power. Felewyn, you may go.=94</P>
<P></P>
<P>Lor Malgoriand stood in the middle of the great square, once =
shimmering white=20
but now drenched in blood. With a tremendous crash, the dark clouds in =
the sky=20
parted, and a great golden light seemed to fill the city. Amidst the =
golden=20
light stood Felewyn, wearing great golden platemail, and holding a sword =
made=20
entirely of light.</P>
<P>=93Oh evil spawn of the lost Loreldians, your power cannot hold here! =
The power=20
of harmony will overcome you, wretched creature. Begone now, forever =
from this=20
world, and trouble my children no more!=94 said her voice, and it was =
like a=20
thousand choirs singing in unison. Lor Malgoriand, cringing in fright, =
was=20
lifted off the ground into the sky, and with one fell swipe of =
Felewyn=92s mighty=20
sword of light, his body split in half. A great black soul, like a =
wraiths=92=20
shadow, emerged from the body, and the great Loreldian snatched it =
quickly into=20
her hands. </P>
<P>The wind howled with the voices of a billion people singing, harmony =
from the=20
ages long past to the ages yet to come, and his black soul disintegrated =
amongst=20
the singing of the words, =91Never to enter the soul-well, never to =
rest!=92</P>
<P>***</P>
<P>=93I am going to the soul-well,=94 announced Lanethan immediately, =
=93to bring back=20
my friend.=94</P>
<P>=93You cannot go there,=94 said Pathos, =93It would trap you there =
forever to try.=20
Once a soul enters the soul-well, it can never return.=94</P>
<P>=93I=92m going to get my friend,=94 said Lanethan, and he immediately =

disappeared.</P>
<P>Fating oneself to be in a place that never existed is a dangerous =
procedure,=20
so he was unsure as to whether or not he had appeared at the right =
place. Two=20
massive stone doorways stood in front of him, and it seemed as if they =
were the=20
only things in the desolate world in which he had appeared: blackness =
stretched=20
in all directions around him, though it was not the blackness created by =
the=20
lack of light, but rather a genuine blackness of nothing.</P>
<P>The doors slid slowly open, emitting no noise. Beyond them, as far as =

Lanethan could see, was simply a light, a strange light which seemed to =
crawl=20
out the doorway like mist.</P>
<P>Upon stepping beyond the doorway, he immediately found himself in a =
state=20
akin to being underwater. All around was the misty light, and as far as =
he could=20
see, the shadows of people, animals, and other once living =
creatures.</P>
<P>=93How am I to find Idemark in this great sea of beings?=94 he asked =
himself, and=20
immediately found himself floating in front of the shadow of Idemark, a =
great=20
elf warrior with hair as black as midnight. Lanethan reached out and =
grabbed=20
him.</P>
<P>Instantly, he found himself standing in a dark room, looking at =
Idemark.</P>
<P>=93Lanethan, why are you here?=94 he asked calmly.</P>
<P>=93I have come to retrieve you, to bring you back,=94 Lanethan =
replied.</P>
<P>=93Why, my friend?=94 asked Idemark.</P>
<P>=93Because it=92s not right that you have to die,=94 Lanethan =
answered after a=20
pause.</P>
<P>=93I was fated to die that day. Idemark, as I was, is no longer =
needed in the=20
world,=94 he stated calmly.</P>
<P>=93But-=94</P>
<P>=93You must go now, Lanethan. Idemark will not be leaving,=94 Idemark =
said.=20
Idemark reached out and touched Lanethan=92s shoulder, and Lanethan =
instantly=20
found himself back in the soul-well, looking at the shadow of =
Idemark=92s=20
face.</P>
<P>=93Go on without me,=94 said Lilia=92s voice.</P>
<P>Lanethan suddenly remembered the dream, the dream he had so long ago: =
he had=20
grabbed Idemark=92s face, and wore it as a mask. What kind of help could =
that=20
possibly bring? Without thinking, Lanethan immediately reached out again =
and=20
grabbed Idemark, wrapping himself up in his soul.</P>
<P>***</P>
<P>I stared into the golden light in front of me, the light I knew to be =
fate=20
itself. Who was I? I was having a hard time remembering, it was as if my =
head=20
was suddenly empty. Two different voices, each of which I recognized as =
my own,=20
began to sing:</P>
<P><I>I once was me</P>
<P>you once were you,</P>
<P>but now there is</P>
<P>no separation.</P>
<P>My soul was one,</P>
<P>your soul was one,</P>
<P>now one and one</P>
<P>make one.</P></I>
<P>My memories suddenly came flooding back, the memories of Lanethan and =
the=20
memories of Idemark. My hair was black, my face was fair, and the armor =
of the=20
dark knight I proudly wore. I crawled slowly out the great gate of the=20
soul-well, and I could no longer distinguish between the person I once =
had been=20
and the person Idemark once had been. He decides to fate himself back to =
the=20
Loreldians, and his friends.</P>
<P>=93Idemark!=94 shouted Iquitas, who immediately ran up to hug me. =
Then, as she=20
got closer, she suddenly realized that I was not the Idemark she had =
once=20
known.</P>
<P>=93Yes, Iquitas. I have returned. I am all that your brother once =
was, thus I=20
am your brother. My name is Lanethan, as I have chosen the name which =
Aginor=20
used over Idemark=91s name, as it was he who had the courage to try to =
save=20
Idemark, and he without whom I would not have been. Hello, sister,=94 I =
said, and=20
hugged her.</P>
<P>=93I never saw this in the fate,=94 said Pathos, his =
beautiful/terrible voice=20
booming.</P>
<P>=93The fate itself is responsible for my being here,=94 I =
replied.</P>
<P>=93Very well, you shall continue with the duties you once had, as =
Apostle of my=20
Order,=94 said Pathos.</P>
<P>=93And what of Lanethan=92s duties, apostle of Felewyn?=94 I =
asked.</P>
<P>=93I have taken the liberty to choose a new apostle, as it was =
foreseen to us=20
earlier that we would be losing both Idemark and Lanethan,=94 said =
Felewyn.=20
Standing next to her was the boy from Adel, the one who had stabbed =
Beldagar.=20
The stars of the astral plane were more beautiful than before, it seemed =
to me,=20
as they shined so bright in the night.</P>
<P>Thus is my story, or rather Lanethan=92s story, the story of the =
person I once=20
used to be. For now, I am something more. I am the Apostle of Pathos=92 =
Order, and=20
I am Iquitas=92 brother Idemark, and I am the Dark Knight Lanethan. I am =
in the=20
heart of all purely good mortals, and I will stand in the way of the =
Lost. For=20
now, however, I will sleep, awaiting again for my time to=20
rise.</P></FONT></BODY></HTML>
