Kyle Aarons

The Kandric Saga

Chapters 19-20

Chapter 19

Kandric

Kandric entered the town of Slome and for the first time in his life he got treated with respect from people he didn't know just because of whom he was. The gate guards both moved to the side and gave him a slight nod. There was no attempt to stop him nor was there any of the normal questions about what his business was. The word had come down from the city guard leaders. The red haired Halfelf boy was someone who should be recognized on site. Kandric hated to admit it, but it felt good.

Needless to say, it helped that he wore nice very nice armor and had a blade over his back. Adding even more to his outfit were the extras. The row of Elvin Silver Steel throwing daggers across his chest and the cloak with the bold patch of the Wilderness Scouts over his left shoulder. Many beings within the town carried weapons, but very few carried swords and fewer still wore armor. Only the highest-ranking members of the town's guilds had close to what Kandric now openly displayed. Those were the marks of guilded, and age mattered none when dealing with a guilded being.

Of course, Kandric was guilded and now that he was a known member of the Wilderness Scouts there was no need to hide those guild pins. Granted they were only Secondary step three and he was a full Echelon higher than those pins, but Secondary Echelon above the Silver Spine Mountains held the same if not more weight than being Teaching Echelon did below the mountains. Still, he decided to make them visible, but not prominently displayed on wristbands made for him by Monarch's people. Each leather wristband held a small magical knife hidden in them as well, extra protection should an extra surprise ever be needed.

Holgab had handed them to him when he brought forward the offer to find the Hobgoblin's base in exchange for ownership in Monarch's new fort. The very idea of having a fortress to help not only defend the people of his Swamp Slums, but also give them all something they could build a real future around was a dream come true for Kandric. He knew the offer had a three-fold advantage to Monarch. First it would be a base of operation Monarch could work out of while the beings in the area would blindly welcome it. Second the offer of ownership guaranteed Monarch of Kandric's and his mother's support. Lastly, and that part Kandric had the most problem with, it all but forced him to join Monarch's command staff.

Kandric looked down on the jeweled butterfly which was acting as the clasp for his throwing dagger bandoleer belt. It irritated him. He knew it had been Monarch who had captured Jamon and Conth to begin with. He had been there as the boys had been handed over to Vondum in the Orc encampment. Furthermore, he had witnessed the fate of females turned over to the Orcs, again survivors of Monarch's raid on Jamon's caravan.

Part of Kandric wanted nothing more than to remove the damned butterfly clasp and stamp on it until it became nothing more then a twisted jeweled lump of silver in a meaningless shape. But to do so would not help his Swamp Slums nor would it stop the raids on other innocent caravans. As he walked down the main street of Slome, he wondered if the plan he had proposed to Monarch would indeed be followed. If it was, then he and he alone would be responsible for countless caravans being spared the fate of the one Jamon had been a part of. If his plan was not followed then he had just sided with a vicious power hungry killer for nothing more than the betterment of his home, which was a good start but it would mean he was part of an operation he detested. Those thoughts only caused his stomach to churn.

Kandric turned and entered the Town Square. His eyes scanned the crowd until he spied whom he had come to see. He moved in a straight line and was somewhat surprised by the fact everyone between him and the Halforc he was moving toward moved out of his way. Of course those who saw the boy coming saw only two things. Kandric's steadfast determination in his eyes and his overall demeanor. Both told anyone who bothered to look to move aside or get run over. Those who didn't look were pulled aside by those who were watching.

The Halforc saw Kandric coming and knew it meant trouble. He didn't know what, but looks alone told him enough. He jumped out of his booth and took off. He made it exactly four steps.

Kandric's hand yanked out a throwing dagger and whipped it hard. A few people who were close to the line of fire cringed as they saw the blade flash by. It found its mark in the Halforc's left foot. The Halforc fell screaming and clutching its foot.

The Halforc's hired booth guard leapt up from his seat, having not seen what was happening until after his employer was on the ground.

Kandric didn't even bother warning the guard. Instead he clenched his right hand into a fist and muttered a short string of arcane words. A burst of sound erupted from his hand as he unclenched it and the wave of sound slammed into the Halfling guard with enough force to knock him back and through the front of the Halforc's booth. The Halfling stayed down blood leaking out of his ears.

A patrol of Slome guards moved forward but stopped upon seeing Kandric walking toward the screeching Halforc. The squad leader swallowed hard, "Um hold up. He be the Halfelf kid we was talked about. The one from the slums!"

Off to the side Rylop shouted out. "He be a Wilderness Scout. Don't bother him none! Best just watch the booth and make sure nothing gets looted!" He moved over to provide assistance to Kandric and/or the patrol. Somehow he figured Kandric was not the one he needed to worry about however.

Kandric glanced up at Rylop and grinned, "Sorry for the mess but I need a word with this creep."

Rylop held up his hands, "Fine by me. He ran so me be guessin' he done somethin' wrong!"

"Me to," Kandric agreed, "Now I just need to find out what."

"You mean ya don't know?"

"Not yet," Kandric turned his attention to the Halforc. It tried to throw a fist only to have it intercepted in mid swing and twisted sharply by Kandric. The Halforc found itself flipped over on its gut with its face pushed into the dirt with a knee and its arm pulled painfully up into the small of its back. Guards and patrons alike felt their jaws open a bit in astonishment at a child being able to so easily handle a being well over twice the size and three times the weight of the boy. Even Rylop let out a soft whistle.

Kandric pulled the Halforc's arm further up until the Halforc grunted more in pain from its arm than the dagger still sticking out of its foot. "What's ya wants! Me no do nothin!"

"A few moons back," Kandric started, "I was in town looking for work and noticed you had some fruit for sale." "So whats? Me always has food. Its me job!"

"Yea, well exactly where did you get the fruit from? It was tropical fruit, mangos, bananas, coconut, and the like. Some of it was not even fully ripe. I know. I have been down there where those things are grown. So where did you get it!"

Rylop frowned, "I ain't never thought it over, but yer right. With no merchants in except fer this last one there is no way he should a been able to get so much fresh food."

The Halforc tried to squirm free rather than answer. All it got for its trouble was its arm wrenched further up. As its shoulder got dangerously close to dislocating it finally relented. "Me gots it from a couple a Hobs. Them gets it to me through the sewers somehows."

Kandric had guessed the Hobgoblins belonging to Bandurlok had been providing food for Slome and other places. Now he basically had proof but other than knowing they got it in through the sewers he didn't see how the information would help. This all seemed like a great idea when he came into Slome, but now he didn't know what direction to take.

Rylop could see the look of confusion cross Kandric's eyes. He stifled a chuckle. It was kind of nice to see the boy was not always so sure of himself as he tried to come across. He decided to see if Kandric would accept some assistance. "Mind if I ask a couple a questions?"

"Be my guest," Kandric agreed with a somewhat relieved voice.

Rylop knelt next to the Halforc. "Why would Hobs give the likes a you food ta sell?"

The Halforc tried to remain silent but a simple twist and yank of his arm by Kandric took all the fight out of him, "Them Hobs wanted me ta gets em wood. Them Hobs need a bunch a it. I gets em three carts a week and them gets me the foods ta sell."

"Wood?" Kandric asked no one in particular. "Why wood?"

Rylop was equally confused but stayed focused. "How'd ya get em the wood? There ain't no way you handed a full cart load er more to em through the sewers!"

The Halforc shook his head. "No, me left em a cart next ta the Bloody Rock. Me'd then grab it the next day next ta the old bridge, on the far side a the stream."

Rylop looked over a Kandric, "Now what."

Kandric shook his head. "I wish I knew. I expected something more clear cut."

"Like what?"

Kandric again shook his head in frustration, "Like where they were operating out of."

"I don't get it. You already had us destroy a Gnoll village. The Gnolls be the big problem and thanks ta you and Captain Vondum, we killed em all."

Kandric sighed as he fought his desire to tell the truth to the man in front of him. Rylop was a man he had grown to like and trust. It didn't sit with well him to lie, but lying was the only way out of the situation. "When Vondum and I attacked the back of the Gnolls' base we found a few wagons and some of the supplies taken from caravans, but we also found a couple of Hobgoblin guards. We chased them and killed them, but one of them tried pleading for its life by offering us information. It said some Hobgoblin leader was behind most of the attacks and was using informants in the city to get needed supplies the caravans did not provide enough of.

"I did not think much more about it until this morning when I remembered seeing the fruit at this stand," he pointed to the ruined stand with the still unconscious Halfling lying in the middle of it.

Rylop scratched his chin, "So ya put it together and came ta find out what this traitor to our city knew."

"Yes," Kandric admitted, "But now I am left with more questions then answers. I should have stayed out of sight and watched him then followed the cart of wood back to where the Hobgoblins were taking it."

"What's ta stop you from doing it now?"

"Simple," Kandric grumbled, "I was just seen getting the information in front of countless beings. So far everything the Hobgoblin said was true, so there are others here who will report this back to the Hobgoblins and they will never allow this jerk to provide them with wood again. They will find another source and given half the chance will probably kill this one."

"Point taken." Rylop agreed, "What do you want me to do to this one?"

"Let him go for all I care," Kandric's face twisted into an evil smirk. "He has not technically broken any rules other than making a killing on selling food. Since he was dealing with Hobgoblins, there is not even any proof he knew he was in collusion with the enemy. Letting him go will take care of the matter because something tells me most of the people here who heard this will want a piece of him. After all, he has been helping those who have put a strangle hold on Slome and made money off of most of the beings here."

"The Governor ain't goin' ta go easy if the guards allow a mob to take the law inta their own hands. Slome just ain't run by mob rules."

Kandric rolled his eyes. "Fine then have your guards grab his belongings and toss them and him on his cart and escort it out the front gate. Let him fend for himself," Kandric yanked his dagger out of the Halforc's foot and wiped it on the Halforc's shirt. "Something tells me he will have a hard time running very fast or far so he will have to stay with the cart and with any luck he will find his fate sealed by those who had been helping him. If he stays too close to here, someone from Slome will take care of him for us."

The Halforc's wail of pain got him no sympathy from those watching. This gave the Halforc all the incentive he needed to head out as fast and far as possible.

Zoldon and Mylan

Glaster watched as Zoldon and Mylan entered the jail to be locked up for their second day. Once he was satisfied the boys did indeed get their own cell and thus couldn't be accosted by adult prisoners he left, leaving a pair of guards to keep an eye on the two. One way or another, the Magistrate who ordered this injustice would pay and pay dearly. However, he would let King Wyhrem deal with it, for he had other matters which demanded attention.

Since discovering he had been taking care of Zoldon instead of Klandon his over riding concern became finding the true heir to the thrown. Secondly, yet just as troubling was what to tell King Wyhrem and when.

Part of him wanted to gate to King Wyhrem's side and tell the man what he had discovered. Yet he also knew the King was in route to deal with a great threat and the last thing he wanted was to have this new distraction weighing down a man who needed every bit of his prowess to fend off the enemies of the kingdom.

Glaster went back to his room and sulked for a while. He was confused. He had seen the infant, Zoldon, lowered into the King's family crypt. He watched the crypt as it got sealed with the magic key worn only by King Wyhrem. Furthermore he had witnessed first hand the infant's struggle to live as he had inscribed the runes of protection on the boy's leg. Zoldon had been so close to death the Channeler of Tallis had even abandoned hope. Yet it was clear the boy not only survived and never got buried, but he had in fact been whisked out of the kingdom and forcefully trained to keep pace with his twin brother. Slowly his confusion changed to anger. He was annoyed at King Wyhrem for not realizing the switch had taken place. Sure his wife had died and he believed his only son was very close to death, but some blame had to be placed on the King. He was Klandon's father after all. He should have seen some difference that could have prevented Klandon from being kidnapped.

Glaster was also furious at the fact there had to be a traitor in the palace, for someone had to get the boy out and had to have tricked everyone, including the Queen who had stayed with Zoldon until the child had stopped breathing. Someone who had unfettered access to the Prince had betrayed the trust of a King and a Kingdom. It was not hard to figure this part out. Only one man had such access and abilities who could have pulled all this off, the former Royal Healthman. The man who up till only a few weeks ago had been a constant aid and advisor to King Wyhrem.

Yet, even as angry as he was at this revelation, a deeper rage was boiling within Glaster. For he, himself, had screwed up. He had seen Zoldon for months, heard the reports from the palace staff about how 'Klandon' had changed. Heard first hand accounts from teachers, friends, and even the boy's frustrated father that something had gone terribly wrong with the Prince. Yet he had spent so much time concentrating on protecting the Prince he had missed the overall picture.

Suddenly all the failed attacks on the Prince made sense. Whoever planned and executed the attacks had never meant to kill him, only those closest to him. They had been, after all, controlling the boy's memories. The mysterious forces behind the attacks were setting in motion a way to make it easier for Zoldon to become Klandon by removing those who might eventually figure out what had happened. Eventually, once the boy became Primary Echelon, all they would have to do would be to kill the King and let the boy take over. He would then be forced, through the magic runes, to appoint someone to help him rule.

Such an action would be looked at as wise by everyone, for a boy of twelve or thirteen is not yet fit to rule a kingdom. Then the ruler pro-tem could easily set in motion a series of events which would destroy the kingdom and allow a new power to take over. The first would be to sow a few more seeds of distrust between the other royal families. Then the assassination of 'Klandon' would cause an open civil war. If peace couldn't be restored or the war went against what they wanted they had yet another card to play. Their trump card would be to bring Klandon back as Zoldon and restore the peace. After years in the wrong hands the new ruler would be a virtual puppet and none of the other royal houses would be strong enough to oppose what he did. They would still be licking their wounds after a long and bloody civil war and would probably blindly welcome peace. It was a complex plot to be sure, but all the pieces had been put in place. It also fit the information forced out of the female Dark Mage.

Yet all this went on for months and Glaster had not seen it. Looking back he counted countless times where things hadn't added up. But not once did he try to figure them out. Instead he stayed glued to the mission of protecting 'Klandon'. The real question was who was the mysterious 'they' behind the plot? His only leads were the former Royal Healthman and the Dark Mage he had ordered the Watch to keep an eye on.

Gating back to the capital Glaster was enraged, yet not surprised, when he learned the man had been killed. The timing coincided to the day Glaster had changed his route and headed toward Everone. It made sense to Glaster as he thought it over. Whoever was behind the plot realized they had lost control of Zoldon and thus needed to cover their tacks as best as possible. The weakest link was the Healthman. Besides he was no longer in the Royal circle so was nothing more than a liability.

Of course the death looked like an accident and had been treated as such by the city guard. The Healthman had been trampled by a runaway carriage. Such unfortunate events happed and who would have thought otherwise? Glaster gated back to his inn room knowing he had once again failed to put the pieces in place in time. "Accident," Glaster snorted, "how convenient." While knowing in his heart the chances of finding Klandon were once again greatly diminished

He went over what he knew. The fact he knew only two things and both of them were not real facts but guesses based on hard information made it even worse. The first was Klandon had to have been abducted when he was aboard the other ship. This could have been done with or without the other ship's knowledge. Second, Klandon was too valuable to kill yet too dangerous to keep alive so whoever had him would have to make sure the boy either was never seen or couldn't talk if he was. Glaster briefly wondered which of the two possibilities would be worse.

The only thing Glaster saw for a course of action was to track down the ship Klandon had been taken to. The only problem was it could be anywhere. Glaster did something he had not done in years. He used his Watch pin and put out a call for help. Within hours, every contact the Watch had along any coast line was put on alert and all top Watch members were informed of the new Watch marker.

Klandon

Kandric watched the guards escort the wounded Halforc out of Slome. He had reacted too quickly and because of his mistake a good chance of finding the Hobgoblins had slipped through his fingers. He turned away from the gate.

He had another reason for visiting Slome. It was time to find out if his friend, Zeltoss, really wanted to join him and Vondum.

As expected, he found Zeltoss down in the combat pit of the school fighting against one of the students. He said nothing. Instead he watched as the two boys spent way too much time trying to find a good opening and too little really attacking.

Kandric shook his head showing his annoyance.

The lead teacher moved up beside Kandric and knelt. "You have a problem with this Teacher Kandric?"

Kandric rolled his eyes as he whispered, "Do you have any idea how strange it sounds to be addressed as a Teacher?"

"Yea, I probably do. It took me over a year to really accept it and even today I find it hard to believe I am the one being honored when someone simply says Teacher."

"One of these years, when I decide to test, I will have to get used to it as well."

"True, but all the students here already know your true abilities and talents. They will not spread the word, at least not on purpose, but sooner or later the word will get out Teacher Kandric."

"Yes, I know," Kandric grumbled.

"So, let me ask you again. Do you have a problem with what you are seeing?"

Kandric frowned for a second before he realized the question was not being asked in a mean way, but out of genuine interest. He was actually being asked what he would be doing differently. Slowly he nodded, "As a matter of fact, I have to disagree with the tactics completely."

"Then take over."

Kandric shook his head in some disbelief. "Seriously?"

"Yes," Teacher Saslara grinned. "I am teaching my way, but it would not hurt for any of my students to see another approach from a true Teacher with a different perspective."

Kandric stood and gave a brief bow. He then leaped into the pit, "Hold!"

Both boys took a step back then looked over. Zeltoss' eyes lit up "Kandric!"

Kandric smiled, "Hello my friend. However, for the moment I have been asked to offer a different perspective on combat and have agreed to teach. Would you two be willing to accept my input?"

Zeltoss nodded instantly.

The other boy frowned for a second then gave a quick bow, "Sure."

"Practice staff!" Kandric called out. A few seconds later another student tossed one down. Kandric picked it up and tested it for a few moments then moved toward the Human boy. "Fight me."

"You must be joking. I saw what you did the last time you were in this pit."

Teacher Saslara growled from above, "Tayac, do as you are told!"

The boy gulped but took a fighting stance.

Kandric spun the staff forcing the boy back then smiled, "There will be no simulated damage and I promise you I will not inflict anything more that a light bruise. You however, may strike at me with everything you have. Furthermore I pledge I will not tap into any of my magic so you will be fighting me on close to equal terms. Zeltoss, join him on attacking me."

Zeltoss moved over quickly to stand next to Tayac, "which side do you want?"

Before Tayac could answer Kandric moved forward forcing both of them back. He used the length of the staff to keep both a healthy distance away. Whenever either got too close they paid for it with a light smack, yet neither boy got a single shot in on Kandric.

Kandric continued the game of cat and mouse for almost a full hour before he backed up and called out "Hold!"

Both Zeltoss and Tayac slumped to one knee. Both of them had a good 30 small bruises and were exhausted.

Kandric stuck the staff into the ground, and looked up at the students above the pit. "Why is it they are so tired they can hardly stand while I am basically fresh?"

One Dwarf stood after almost three minutes of blank looks, "Permission to speak Teacher."

"Granted!" Kandric pointed at the girl.

"Um, this seems real silly like, but, um them two spent all their energy tryin' not ta get hit while you jus kept your weapon moving and didn't give no opening."

Kandric shook his head, "Are you seriously saying I did not give a single opening during this entire time?"

The girl quickly sat back down.

A young Elf stood up, "Teacher?"

Kandric pointed to the boy. "Yes?"

"You never gave em no chance to attack cause you never stopped. They had to defend the whole time."

A smirk spread over Kandric's face, "So let me get this straight. If you are being attacked you have to defend, no matter how light the attack is?"

Above Kandric, several students turned to each other as they realized what had happened. Kandric had constantly been on the attack, but most of what he had done was easy to counter, attacks such as light thrusts, jabs, and wide arc swings. Because his staff never stopped spinning the two opponents did nothing but defend and Kandric took each and every opening he spotted to inflict a light shot. Never once did he have to adjust to defend against an attack because neither Zeltoss nor Tayac had attacked.

Kandric let the kids above, some of them much older then he was in equivalency years, talk it over for a few minutes while he climbed out of the pit. He moved over to Teacher Saslara and nodded. "So what did you think?"

Teacher Saslara took a deep breath. "You have pointed out a major flaw in my teaching. Should someone learn of this and spread the word all of my students, both former and present, would be at an extreme disadvantage. All my life I have taught my students to defend first then take the first opening. It never occurred to me someone with a weapon which could always be kept in motion could so easily overwhelm my teaching style!"

"Your methods have merit against most weapons, but even then defense should never overbalance attack. I have noticed your students tend to spend too much time trying to find an opening rather than working to create one. This next to guarantees their opponents will get first attack, and should they hit 3;"

"Should they hit my student will be a major disadvantage before he even starts to fight." Teacher Saslara agreed. "If you have some time, I would like for you to change these students thinking a bit while I watch and learn some more from you."

Kandric smiled, "Zeltoss and I are going to join the city watch down under the jail soon and then we must be going elsewhere. However, I can spend the rest of the day and all day tomorrow here. The problem is I wanted to take Zeltoss out to Bloody Rock and poke around this evening.

Teacher Saslara "Bloody Rock is a red color because of the amount of iron in it. Both you and Zeltoss are Elf."

Kandric nodded, "I know, but it is natural iron, which does not harm us like pure processed iron does. I must admit, my first real mishap with iron was because of Bloody Rock though. I went into one of the old mines and was playing around. By the time I got home my clothing was full of dust from the place and I itched for almost a full week!"

Teacher Saslara laughed, "It is nice to know you were a real boy for at least a while!" She turned serious. "What exactly are you looking for out there anyway? It is well outside of Slome and the area around there is pretty wild."

"I know," Kandric paused, "But some information I got today points toward Bloody Rock as a possible problem spot."

"Is this something my more advanced students might be able to handle?"

"Possibly," Kandric stated slowly, "Why?"

"Because I like to take my step four and five students out once in a while looking for trouble, but I have not been able to do so since early last fall because of the Gnolls and other very dangerous creatures being so close to Slome. I have a couple of Training step five's who have not been out even once with me because of the virtual state of siege we have been under the last several months."

Kandric mulled it over, "If I find what I am looking for, I will be going against some Hobgoblins. From what I know, fewer than normal will be mundane."

"How many are we talking about?"

"There is a question I wish I knew the answer to."

"If I managed to convince the Governor to give us Londow and Rylop would you be willing to help supervise a school expedition to hunt for these critters? Maybe we could even make it an overnighter.

"How many students would we be talking about?"

"Nine, ten if you consider Zeltoss one of the students."

Kandric growled, "Zeltoss is Primary Echelon, he is no student!"

"He can't hold up in a fight in the pit Kandric."

"Sure he can. Just watch," Kandric jumped back down into the pit and pulled the training staff out of the ground. "Tayac, Zeltoss, you two are going to spar again. Each time I see an opening you do not take I will take it and the first one I hit five times the other loses. We will continue this until every step four and five have spared each other. The one who loses the most will be left out on tonight's expedition outside of Slome."

Teacher Saslara jumped up, "Teacher Kandric, I don't have approval for it yet."

"You will," Kandric promised, "Just tell the governor it has been ordered by the Wilderness Scouts. If he argues I will have Captain Vondum talk to him."

Teacher Saslara stood, "Fine, I will get everything organized." She then turned to the entire assembled school. "Until I get back Teacher Kandric has full authority. You don't do as he says and I guarantee you will be seeing me for a one on one training session the likes of which none of you have ever seen!"

Kandric snickered to himself. A month ago he was Slum scum, now he was just handed command of the Slome School for a brief period. Every single trainee before him would from this day forward defer to him as his or her teacher. Such was the tradition and the importance of being handed command of a school, even for the briefest of times. Furthermore, he knew his name would be placed on the plague as one of the instructors the moment his Teaching Echelon status was confirmed by the Shaman Guild.

Kandric spun the staff and put aside those thoughts as he got down to the business at hand. "Remember, when I strike your opponent the mark is scored as a failure to you so this drill will require an offensive mindset. Begin!"

Several hours went by as Kandric continued round after round of sparing matches. At first the matches didn't last long because Kandric lashed out at the openings and within couple of minutes he had scored five hits on one and four on the other. After each student had been in the pit with him for three matches the length of time started increasing as the students moved in on each other's openings. The drills also started showing some very surprised students how good Zeltoss was. Even Zeltoss was amazed at how switching to a quick attack turned him from being one of the worst to the top of the pecking order simply because the fights didn't last as long which meant his lack of strength and stamina didn't come into play. Instead his skills as a Primary Echelon being showed through.

By the time Teacher Saslara got back it was clear to not only her but also the rest of the students none of them really knew the true potential of Zeltoss.

Kandric finally exited the pit and looked at the scores. Two of the students were tied for the worst scores, each having only won three times. Kandric called them forward in front of Teacher Saslara "Do you two want to spar one last time to see who goes or do you both want to stay back?"

One said she wanted to spar while the other said he didn't. Kandric shook his head in disgust at the teen boy, "Fine, you get to stay here and chop all the wood needed for the whole school for the next week while the rest of us go out."

When the boy started to complain Teacher Saslara shook her head, "Kandric just spent all day showing you how to take some initiative and you still don't get it. Maybe the woodcutting will teach you not to take the easy road out all the time."

The boy's face turned a bright red, "If ya weren't a Teacher 3;"

Kandric didn't hesitate. He delivered a precise blow to the boy's solar plexus. The kid dropped like a stone. "I am who and what I am because it fought to get here. I have a mundane slave with more integrity and pride then you! Get out of my sight you worthless piece of trash!"

Teacher Saslara pointed to two of the younger students, "Drag him out to the woodpile and chain him to the work post before Teacher Kandric kills him."

Kandric shook his head; "I would not kill a student, no matter how pathetic he might be."

"I know." She snarled, "but I might. If you hadn't reacted so fast, I would have broke his jaw."

Prince Millen

A pair of Pantherlings dragged the kicking and screaming Dwarf deeper and deeper into some very large caves. Finally the Dwarf, one of Gambra's scouts, grew silent. Since his capture in Everone, his life had been a blur of traveling from one magical point to another and it was clear there was no one to answer his pleas for help.

The first leg of the journey went by while he was still unconscious from the beating in the back alley, so he had no clue how the black furry beasts had gotten him out of the city. But once he had regained his senses he counted 9 different magical gates he had traveled through. Of the 9, five had been permanent magical gates. The others had been by spells.

At first he had tried to escape, but the Pantherlings had been diligent. Each attempt only ended up making security tighter and the pace of the journey had been picked up. One of the Pantherlings looked down at Gambra's scout, "Did your voice finally grow horse or are you just catching your breath for a new round?"

"Gambra will kill you furry freaks!" The Dwarf bellowed at the taunt.

A new voice from somewhere in front of the small group shook the whole cavern; "She would have to know you were here first Dark Mage collaborator!" As the voice spoke fifteen huge cauldrons burst into flame lighting up the whole cave. The light was further intensified by the fact the whole inner chamber was silver. It was not a coating, but instead the entire place, including the columns, stalagmites, and stalactites were made of natural silver! Hanging from the center of the room was a great silver banner etched with the name of every Silver Dragon King and Queen from the beginning of the Silver Dragon line.

Both Pantherlings took a knee instantly.

The Dwarf took advantage and tried to flee. He didn't get but a few steps before he realized the way he had been dragged in was no longer there; instead there was a smooth wall of silver. Desperately he started running looking for a way out. Finally, after nearly five minutes he sank to the ground as he realized there was none. The inner chamber of the Silver Dragon palace was sealed tight with silver and magic.

Six Silver Dragonlings seemed to slowly materialize out of the silver floor. At first they were nothing more than protruding lumps of silver, but within a minute they were fully formed and advanced quickly to secure the Dwarf.

A few moments after the Dwarf was surrounded by the Dragonlings a much larger mass pushed up from the floor. This time it took almost three minutes before a massive Silver Dragon took full shape. As it towered over everyone in the room it examined the Dwarf. The dragon snorted in satisfaction as it watched the Dwarf's bladder empty. It addressed the Dragonlings first. "It will not leave this chamber until its mess has been cleaned. I will not have my father's inner sanctum fouled with the filth of a Dark Mage ally!"

The biggest of the Dragonlings bowed, "As you command Prince Millen!"

Prince Millen then turned his attention to the Pantherlings. "Please stand. I am honored as always by the presence of our most trusted in kinship. I trust your journey here was not too taxing?"

The higher guild ranked Pantherling spoke, "My Prince, we were forced to expedite our travels because our prisoner took every available chance to escape. Even here, its first thought when we took a knee was to flee."

"This wretched Dark Mage lover's days being free to harm others are at an end. The real question is, why bring this one here?"

"My Prince, this Dwarf 3;"

Prince Millen cut off the Pantherling; "He is a creature, nothing more. I would never dishonor a Dwarf by referring to a Dark Mage underling as one so noble as a Dwarf!"

The Pantherling bowed slightly again. "My apologies my Prince," he paused to calm his nerves before speaking again; "This creature is one of Gambra's lead scouts. We caught him after he had a face to face meeting with the Dark Mage Queen."

"What has he told you."

"We could get nothing from him. Even our best Mind Master in the Everone district of operation could not scan him. Thus we brought him here for you to question."

Prince Millen's eyes hardened. "So you wish to hold your secrets creature? You may be able to counter a Teaching Echelon Mind Master, or even an Expert, but do you really wish to fight my power?"

"You are nothing!" the Dwarf spat at the massive Silver Dragon. However, the Dwarf's trembling knees spoke louder than the attempted act of defiance and brave words. "Nothing?" a wisp of steam curled from the edge of Prince Millen's mouth as he smiled at the challenging tone of the prisoner. "We shall see who is nothing!"

The great dragon's eyes went from a light sky color to a deep midnight blue as he focused on the Dwarf. At first the Dwarf started to sweat, but within moment his arms and legs stated shaking. The shakes turned to spasms. Finally he started trying to dig out his eyes as the pressure inside his head became so intense blood started to leak out of his ears, nose, eyes, and even some blood seeped out around his teeth. The pain became so overwhelming all six Dragonlings found it difficult to hold the Dwarf down.

Finally the Dwarf stopped struggling and his eyes rolled up in its head.

Prince Millen took a deep breath then looked back at the Pantherlings. "The news is far better than I could have hoped. Monarch has decided to cut all ties with the Dark Mages and has even put out assassins to kill Gambra. Furthermore, thanks to your scouts on the plateau we know Monarch is getting ready to move to assist King Wyhrem with a force of his beloved Illorcs.

"Tell your people above the Silver Spine Mountains to become active, but not to deter Monarch, but instead to assist him. Offer a few of your clans to bolster his defenses." Pure shock registered on the faces of the Pantherlings, "My Prince?"

"I know he is not one we would like up there. However, the alternative is Bandurlok. We already know Bandurlok is moving with the Red Dragons against his Nephew and the Green Dragons. With our forces helping Monarch, he could send down even more forces. Then, with the help of the small Halfelf child, Kandric, who somehow knows how to read Shamanistic who I was told about from your people above the Silver Spine Mountains gating those forces straight into the heart of the fight King Wyhrem might stand a chance.

"King Wyhrem is currently caught between an impending dragon war. There is no way his kingdom can withstand being caught in the middle let alone having to fight both factions. However, with enough help his forces could hold Everone while the Reds, Greens, and Blacks wipe each other out. Already I have some of my forces in position to assist, as does Prince Bathron, Crown Prince of the Blue Dragons.

"Unfortunately, we cannot move in our primary forces or we would be dragged in. Once our full armies were engaged the Whites would attack my homeland and the Browns would, likewise, move against the Prince Bathron. We know the gods are at work in Everone, and I will not allow my kingdom to be dragged into another Dragon war just because the gods are playing games again."

The junior Pantherling thought over what Prince Millen had said and spoke up, "My Prince, I have one problem with your plan."

"Please continue."

"Monarch would never accept a gift of a Pantherling force to help him on the Plateau. Instead he would want to send them down to Everone."

Millen nodded slowly. "Good point. Any suggestions?"

"One, but it would certainly switch the balance of power on the plateau."

"Go on."

"Since we first encountered Kandric, we have kept spies on him. Just before we gated here we got a report from another Pantherling using your gate system coming from up there. He told us Kandric was seen walking around with one of Monarch's command medallions on. The boy was trying to track down some information on Hobgoblin activity around Slome and even took out a merchant who had been providing aid."

Prince Millen took in a deep breath, powerful enough to where everyone in the room felt their hair move in the direction of the Silver Dragon. "So you suggest we provide the needed aid to wipe out Bandurlok's stronghold in Bloody Rock and the old crypts beneath Slome?"

This boy, Kandric, is getting close to discovering Bandurlok's base. The second he does Monarch will move to crush it and will be weakened by doing so."

"Which will be less aid he can put into helping King Wyhrem." Prince Millen finished the thought. "Very well. I will gate a force of Pantherlings along with some Dragonlings to handle the Black Dragonlings in the central base and to help the rather interesting child, but they will need to be lead by someone this uncanny child knows."

"He met two of us already. He was with Vondum, so Vondum knows them as well."

Prince Millen's smile widened. "Perfect. Monarch will see Pantherlings through the eyes of this mysterious boy and Vondum. Since my first report about this extremely powerful child included the fact he and Vondum were lead to believe the Pantherlings they encountered were protecting their territory we can use their beliefs against them. We will simply tell Monarch our Pantherling forces will not go to fight elsewhere but would be willing to help him secure the Plateau because our own territories are in danger. Vondum and this Kandric child would back up the claim and then our forces would be in a position to provide a more gentle caring hand to the lands he would have to concede to us after all is said and done!"

The junior Pantherling shook his head; "Your plan is far more complex than mine, my Prince. But I believe you saw everything I did and a great deal more!"

"You did well to point out the original flaw in my thinking. Before you leave the palace, it would please me greatly if you would secure yourself a magical weapon out of my armory."

"Thank you my Prince!" the Pantherlings both bowed and exited through a small opening which appeared behind them with a mere wave of Prince Millen's left claw.

Prince Millen glared at the Dwarf, then looked over at the Dragonlings. "He is to lick up his mess and his spit before he leaves this room. Then take him to my Shaman and have his entire memory erased repeatedly. Once we are positive there is nothing left, take him out and drop him off in the middle of Everone. It will make Gambra wonder what or who is behind the attack on her scout, and with any luck she will expend her already thin resources trying to track down mere shadows and ghosts."

Prince Millen didn't wait to see his if his commands were going to be followed. He knew they would be. Instead, he exited the same way he had come.

Lannet and Falk

Master Lannet sat in front of a fire he and Lord Falk had built inside a half-wrecked farmhouse. The signs of a slaughter could easily be seen inside what was left of the main house. There were splatters of blood and even a bloody handprint on one wall and the entire place had been looted thoroughly.

On the plus side those responsible for the atrocity had met a rather gruesome fate of their own. Flak and Lannet had wiped out no less than four bands of Hobgoblin raiders, 1 group of Green Dragonlings and had combined their powers to eliminate a rather large Black Warrior Dragon. It had been the Black Dragon's fleeing Kobalds which had led them here. Even with both he and Falk being badly injured, the fight against the fourteen Kobalds had lasted exactly ninety-two seconds.

Master Lannet scratched the chin of his worst injured pet. The Winged Panther had a broken wing and forepaw. To most the creature would not have been worth saving, but for Lannet the animal was family and if he had to carry it the twenty-five leagues back to the city of Everone, he would. Yet he knew Falk had every intention of gating them back once he regained more force at first light.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden glow of his Watch pin.

Lord Falk glanced over, "You be wanted."

"I noticed." Master Lannet grumbled in true Dwarvin fashion, "It amazes me how often this happens when I have just gotten comfortable!"

Lard Falk snickered as he glanced at his own pin. He smiled as he noticed his remained nice and dull looking. "Better you then me!"

"I'll remember this." Lannet teased as he touched his pin and concentrated. He stayed in deep concentration for some time.

Lord Falk noticed his friend's face go a bit pale. He sat up as Master Lannet finally broke contact with the pin. "Problem?"

"I can't be sure. One bit of news is stunning; the other is extremely troubling at best.

"Can you enlighten me?"

Master Lannet thought it over for a moment then nodded slowly. "The second part you must keep completely secret, however."

"Very well." Lord Falk sat up even straighter. He had never seen Master Lannet so edgy.

"First, it seems our retired friend, Glaster, has used one of his watch markers." Lord Falk removed his hood, showing his true Blue Dragonling heritage and a great deal of shock. "He jussssst un-retired?"

"Indeed he did."

"What could be sssso important?"

"He wants everyone who can to locate the ship Prince Klandon was treated on when he fell ill on the Isles."

Falk waited. When Lannet didn't continue he rolled his hand as if wanting the rest. "Then what?"

"There, my friend, is what bothers me. There is nothing else."

"He ussssed a marker jusssst to find a sssship?"

"Yes."

Falk shook his head. "No! No one throwssss away a Watch marker on ssssssomething like thisssss! What doessssss he know we do not? Issss Prince Klandon in trouble?"

"We don't know. The watch marker was to find the ship, nothing more and no other information."

Falk's eyes sizzled with electrical energy. "There be a problem with Klandon and Glassster isssss holding back! He mussssst be!"

"I agree, but what can we do?"

"I do not know." Falk admitted, "But I will think of sssssomething!" Falk took a moment to calm. "Now what is such a sssssecret?"

Master Lannet held up his hand and slipped off a magical ring. Under the ring was a tattoo, a royal crest, The Crest of the Garm High Council.

Falk nearly passed out from holding his breath too long. Finally he managed to speak. "You be Garm!"

Master Lannet nodded very slowly. He felt some preliminary explanations would help set the groundwork for what he was about to tell the Dragonling in front of him. "Several years ago, I was going to be reassigned from Junsac to take command of one of our outlying bases. The idea was to give me a command and let me take on a less stressful life."

Lord Flak nodded, "I remember. You put in a marker to prevent it. No one knew why. But you ssssaid you had a good reasssson. Why remind me?"

"Because it plays into exactly what I am about to tell you." Lannet paused. "Less than a week after I put in my marker a boy appeared in Junsac, a wounded elf child."

Lord Falk waited for more information but realized Lannet had stopped talking. He thought back to the time right after Lannet had put in his marker, preventing his transfer out of Junsac. Suddenly a light came on, "Asssster?"

Lannet nodded. "Have you ever wondered what race of Elf he is?"

Falk shook his head then stopped. Pure astonishment crossed his features "He cannot be!"

"He is." Lannet nodded, "I was given information his grandfather had exiled him and he would be brought to Junsac and then given a non-fatal blow to his head to cover up for a powerful forget spell being cast on him."

"But why?"

"I honestly don't know, but Aster is a Prince, and because of our pact I was given the secret task of making sure Aster was taken care of, even if his own grandfather didn't care.

Falk felt his heart pounding. "Why give me ssssuch background."

"Because, the Great Halls of Friendship and Battle are being reopened and Aster is one of the reasons. The other two happen to be his half-brothers, until this moment I didn't even know existed. Both of them we know: Conner and Kandric."

Falk shuttered openly, "Kandric? The boy trained by Glassssster, The youngesssst to ever reach Ssssecondary Echelon and Assster are brothersss?"

Lannet nodded, "Scary isn't it?"

"Very." Falk whispered, "For this well may be a sssssign of them holding Mythling blood."

Mater Lannet nodded. "There are some who believe the boys are Mythling."

Falk let out a long laugh "There have been no Mythlingssss for 2000 yearssss!"

"There have been a few." Lannet spoke very softly, "Have you ever wondered why none of the gods worshiped today are not Mythlings?"

Falk paused. "No I had not, until now. But the only true Mythlingssss known are the Demon lordssss and queenssss."

"Exactly." Lannet nodded, "The true Mythlings turned against everyone as they destroyed each other. Then, just when it looked like they would purge the world, some of the younger races most powerful beings fought back and banished them to the lower plains. All of those who were able to stand up to the might of the Mythlings were actually quarter-Mythling. For some reason unknown to anyone, those who were Half-Mythling were not as powerful as those who were quarter-Mythling. Still most of those who were quarter-Mythling didn't have the power needed to fight back. A few did and most of them were almost wiped out but those few who survived scraped up enough power to win. Then, those who made it through the final battle with the Mythlings and destroyed the Mythlings' capitol city used some of the powerful items they found there and became the gods we know today. But out there are others who had a distant grandparent who happened to catch the eye of a Mythling. The old Mythlings' blood lines exist. It would now take a complete fluke, but what would happen if two of those blood lines came together and made a Half-Mythling again?"

Falk felt dazed by the information, but the answer was crystal clear. "The being'ssss offssssspring would be Quarter-Mythling and thussss have the power of those who fought the Mythlingssss and won!"

"Indeed." Lannet shook his head trying to believe what he already knew. "But remember, very few of the Quarter Mythlings had what it took to become gods. Most didn't have such power, but folklore gives the weaker ones due credit. Almost every hero or heroine of the age of the Mythling Wars was a brother or sister to one of those we now worship. So, although few made it to true god-hood, many of their brothers and sisters who survived the Mythling Wars became the gods avatars and their names are scattered throughout every races' lore.

Falk frowned and went into deep thought for quite a while. When he spoke again his voice was guarded. "If we follow your logic, then it would mean Asssster'sss mother somehow happened to get the correct mixture of bloodlinessss to make her a perfect Half-Mythling and all of her offspring could hold the power of the godssss."

"Only if those she mated with had no Mythling blood. From what we have seen, Kandric and Aster probably have such a combination and so, probably, does Conner." Lannet paused, "The rest of her children are too young to know where they stand. But if what we think is true, it could be our first hint of why the gods have thrown their weight behind Aster and Conner and let both boys know they were brothers and had a third brother by the name of Kandric. I just wish I knew what else they were up to."

Aster

Aster's hammer slammed into the metal within the fire in the forge. Sparks shot into his face as he continued to try to force the merging of Elvin Silver Steel to Dwarvin Blue Steel while still keeping the magic of both blades intact. Such a task was not for the light of heart, for a single mistake could destroy not only the magic and the blending of the metals, it could also cause the magics held within the formally two blades to rebel, damaging or even killing him. Messing with magical items was something all true metalworkers could do, but most never tried except once in training. It was simply too dangerous!

However, Aster felt at complete peace as the metalworker's hammer in his hand connected with the metal in the forge. From the first time he had worked with magic in a forge he knew it was something he had been meant to do.

His mind drifted back to the time his teacher handed him a dagger of light and introduced him to the art of transforming a magical item into something else. His task was to change the dagger's form while not ruining the magic within. All metalworkers got the chance; it was part of training, but most failed. It was expected after all.

Aster remembered how he had first felt the dagger then placed it into the forge. The first step, before even figuring out what he wanted to do with it was to get it into a form where he could work with it. So he heated it and then as he saw it start to glow he let go his first strike with a hammer. White-hot sparks shot up at him and as they danced around him, Aster suddenly felt the magic inside the metal. It was not at all like his teacher had told him to expect. It was not the feeling of magic rebelling, instead it was the magic calling out, demanding it not be forced out of the metal.

Aster retreated from the Dagger of Light for a moment, ignoring the protests of his teacher. He went to the scrap pile and pulled out some spent chunks of Elvin Steel and tossed them into a side pan. While the scrap metal melted he took a more gentle approach to the remolding of the dagger. First he flattened out the hilt then spread the blade out. Slowly he added the extra melted metal and formed loops with it. Finally he pulled it out and used a finishing hammer well before he normally wold have. The magic seemed to tell him it wanted to be treated gently, so he did so. Slowly he started adding spikes to the front of the loops. The work was exhausting, but he kept going. At least 70 times he had to reheat the item so he could continue to work it. But at last he took the tongs and put it in the water.

As he turned away from the steam of the water being hit with red-hot Elvin steel he realized it was dark. The only one in the forge was his teacher, and even he was asleep against the back wall. Aster looked around and realized more than one day had to have passed. There were items in various stages of being made which had not been in the shop when he had started. His stomach growled and he felt weak.

Aster remembered he wobbled into the apprentice kitchen and grabbed a great deal of food which he ate all of and drank a huge amount of water. As he did so, his teacher entered the small dining area with a magical glowing set of Elvin Steel spiked knuckles. The man's face was a mixture of annoyance and amazement. "I thought you were going to make a spear head?"

Aster yawned, "I was, but the magic didn't want to."

"What do you mean it didn't want to?"

Aster shook his head, "I don't know. But when I fist struck the blade I knew it wouldn't work. It didn't want anything taken away for it. To make a spearhead I would have had to take several grams of metal off. The blade just didn't want anything taken away."

Aster watched the man, his teacher, nod slowly. "You caught the feeling of the magic Aster. It is a metalworker's greatest gift."

"What do you mean?" Aster asked in confusion, "The feeling of the magic?"

"It happened to me the first time after I had made Secondary Echelon," the teacher smiled as he poured Aster a glass apple wine. "Some say all magic is alive or at least close to it. It has feelings and desires. Some even says it calls out and if you listen to it, it will help and guide your hand. You worked for over two days, only stopping to drink some water before going back after your creation. You let the magic speak to you and you did something no other student of mine has ever done. You changed the form of a magic item on yer first try." His teacher tossed the spiked knuckles onto the table and the spikes stuck into the wood. "And I must say I have never seen your work turn out so well. Keep it. It just might inspire my other students to be half as diligent as you.

"Now get some sleep. I have been without you for over two days and you have a lot of work to catch up on."

All the way through the memories of his work with the dagger of light his hands never stopped working on his latest work. Time of past and present blurred as his hammer worked the metal in the forge. Everything he did became automatic as if something else was guiding his hand.

After the memories of his first success with magic faded the thoughts of his other successes, including the reworking of his prized axe filled him. His learning under the eclectic Lizardman Master Echelon Metalworker as he explained not only the idea behind Eldwar Steel, but also the fact that it takes a willingness of the metals to work with the metalworker.

Once again his memories faded, but the dreamlike state remained. Only this time it was not a memory but a vision of sorts which took over.

A Dwarf wearing full plate of Eldwar and a shield of Eldwar emblazed with the holy symbol of Golan appeared. A strange sensation accompanied the vision. As he continued to work on the making of the single longsword the Dwarf moved forward and dropped his shield. The Dwarf picked up a metalworker hammer from off the wall and stood shoulder to shoulder with Aster. The pounding within the forge seemed to double in speed and quadruple in strength.

As the hand of Elf worked side by side with the vision-like Dwarf, the Dwarf spoke. "It is time for your path to leave the path of your brother for a time. Go by land. Your brothers will join you when the time is right."

Aster continued to work as he spoke, "I don't understand. I cannot leave Conner now that I have a family!"

The Dwarf seemed to smile, "There is more than one way for a family to stick together my young Alphar Prince. Sometimes trying too hard to protect a loved one does more damage than allowing someone else in to take over, love, guide, and nurture. Do you truly, in your heart, believe you can help Prince Conner?"

Aster shook his head as he poured the pans collecting the runoff into a new glob inside the forge. He then divided the white hot metal into eight small chunks and one very large one. The Dwarf took over on the long sword while Aster formed the melted puddles into eight Dives and one falchion. As Aster continued to mold the new items, he spoke aloud. "Since we found we are brothers, we have grown further apart. I don't know why and it hurts!"

"Sometimes it is easier to be friends than family. You both need time to adjust to the idea of family. Let your adopted family, the Watch, help you while Prince Conner relearns to love under the guidance of the Thunder Rapids Crew."

"Conner knows how to love!"

"No Prince Aster, Prince Conner knows how to have compassion but has forgotten how to love. Love requires trust, compassion, and the ability to accept fault in others and in self. Prince Connor lacks part of the whole picture."

Aster took a deep breath, "He lives for perfection. More in himself than in others, but he cannot trust others who aren't also constantly striving for perfection."

The Dwarf's eyes got a sad look in them, "It goes beyond those observations my young Prince, for, alas, his view of perfection is being able to conquer everything thrown at him without needing assistance. Thus he sees in you a weakness which is dividing the two of you without any fault on either of your parts."

Aster worked side by side with his vision for many hours before he suddenly understood the Dwarf's statement. "My need for companionship, especially with Pocet, is the root of my problems with my brother isn't it?"

The Dwarf smiled, "Congratulations. Now you understand why you must allow someone else to teach him how to love?"

"Yes." Aster's voice saddened, "He will only see Pocet as my weakness instead of a strength. But I don't understand why he used to be able to depend on me and now he cannot. I have done nothing different, instead we have now fought side by side several times!"

"It is how he views loss, my young Prince. He has been trained to not allow emotional attachments interfere with the tasks at hand. So is the way of the Wraith Sectwarrior teaching. He uses life force to kill. Think about the total lack of emotion one must be able to attach to such an act. Yet his teacher is a good man. Prince Conner was taught compassion. He does not kill out of desire nor does he play with the life force of those he kills. Instead he respects them by using the power or not. There is a thin yet hard line he had to embrace to stay away from the Dark Arts yet embrace the ways of a Wraith Sectwarrior.

"But there is more to living than respecting life. It is one thing to fight, kill and be willing to take up arms to defend life. However, it is another thing entirely to let your heart feel for those you defend with something deeper then outward compassion. It takes a great risk to really care for someone. For, if that person dies, then there is true loss far beyond the losing of a fight. He sees winning as good and losing as bad. Those lost during a fight are going to be missed but they died fighting the good fight. There is some sadness with the loss of friends and even some anger, but such things are easy to push to the side, to bury, or even forget. It is an easy life to have friends and enemies but no loves. Until Prince Conner can see the plus side to a deeper relationship he will never be able to really love."

"So even by becoming closer to me he sees weakness," Aster wiped a tear as he hit the now very close to complete sword again with his hammer. As if an unspoken line of communication existed between him and the Dwarf, the Dwarf took over on the falchion and the dives.

The Dwarf tapped runes into the first dive before he returned to the conversation "Indeed. Making matters worse he believes he has to love you because you are family. What he needs, is to learn how to love someone he doesn't feel indebted to love first. Then and only then will he be able to show true love to family without attaching some baggage."

Aster finished his work with the sword before he fully accepted what the Dwarf standing next to him had told him. "Why can't I just have a family, a real family. It's all I ever wanted and now I have one, but have to give it up. It isn't fair!"

"You have family my Prince, you have lots of family and they are moving even as we speak to render assistance the type of which we could only have dreamed about. Trust me on this just as you trusted your hands to work within the feeling and desire of the magic and metal of the twin blades. Now I must be going for I am afraid your loved ones are getting a little more than somewhat concerned. Good luck my Prince."

Aster snapped out of his trance in a flash. He shook his head as he felt the weakness and pure hunger overcome him. A slight grin spread over his exhausted features knowing he had once again entered a magical trance of the Metalworker. Still the ache of his arms and legs were far worse than he had ever felt before.

Only this time there were multiple startling proofs that this hadn't simply been a strange dream. For next to a completed Eldwar longsword was an Eldwar falchion and eight dives. Even more impressive was the fact there was no extra metal in the runoff pans. His eyes did a double take as he suddenly realized the vision had been something far more. For emblazed on each of the weapons was the holy symbol of Golan and each of the blades held a set of magical runes on the blades which there was no way he could have put there!

He stepped out of the forge and shivered. The cold air washing over his sweat-coated body was strangely refreshing, but cold nonetheless. He gazed down at the barge and noticed the crew was still working hard to repair the damage from striking the toll chain, but were much further along than when he had entered the forge to work on Pocet's blade. Still the work on the barge was a task far from complete. Even at this distance from the barge Aster could make out the fact a small bucket brigade continuously worked to prevent one of the lower holds from flooding.

Pocet jumped up and rushed to the boy as he saw Aster exit the forge, "Aster! Are you OK?"

Aster gratefully collapsed into Pocet's arms. "I'm a bit hungry."

Sardan moved up beside Pocet and helped to literally carry the exhausted boy into the building the crew used as a mess hall. "A bit? You have been in that blasted forge talking to yourself for four days! You didn't even acknowledge it when Pocet or I brought you water even though you did drink it. What is wrong with you?"

"Four days?"

"Yea!" Pocet's concern was clear.

"And you didn't see anyone else?"

"Huh?" Sardan squawked.

Aster quickly shook his head as he remembered the full conversation. "Never mind. I went into a trance. It happens sometimes to metalworkers when we work on magic items and are trying to change their forms.

"Oh, come on Aster," Pocet frowned as he pulled Aster onto his lap and started feeding Aster a bowl of soup Sardan got from the Thunder Rapid's cook on duty. "You were talking to something, someone, weren't you?"

Aster sighed as he accepted being fed like a baby. "Yea, I think so. I started working then lost track. It happens to me once in a while, but this time I got so wrapped up into it I think I accidentally called someone. I remember I started talking to a servant of Golan. I know you won't believe me, but the Dwarf helped me."

Aster tried to jump back up but his arms and legs were just too tired. He fell back against Pocet.

Sardan moved over and helped Aster back onto Pocet's lap, "Where do you think you are going?"

"The forge! You have to see 3;"

"You are not going anywhere." Sardan's stance told everyone this was not negotiable. "You are going to finish the soup and then Pocet is going to give you a bath and put you to bed. Understood?"

Aster sighed, "OK, but please go to the forge and take a look. You will know what I'm talking about the second you see them!"

Sardan saw the pleading in Aster's eyes and gave in. "Very well. But, you will do exactly as I said No if ands or buts. Got it?"

Aster's eyes sparkled with merriment. "Yes Uncle Sardan."

Pocet and Sardan both broke into healthy laughs. Pocet finally spoke, "I think our beloved Aster is back with us!"

"No question about it." Sardan left the building chuckling. He entered the forge and couldn't believe his own eyes. A pair of blades were on the table next to the forge and under them were eight dives. All glimmered with their own light. Sardan rapidly wrapped everything in his cloak and almost ran back to the Mess building.

Sardan came back in with the new weapons. He lay the on the table in front of Aster. He glanced at Pocet as he did so. "There is no way Aster could have made all of this. What he claimed happened really must have!"

"I told you!" Aster spoke softly as he finished the last spoonful of soup. "But I didn't make the marks on the weapons or get a chance to make sheaths. Somehow I just know they will fit into the sheaths you already have though."

Pocet looked at the blades in complete awe, "What do they do Aster?"

A voice came out of no where. It was a gruff Dwarven sounding voice. "You will know when you grasp them. Let the boy rest already!"

Pocet reached out and took hold of the pummel of the long sword. He instantly liked the feel and then a wave of knowledge washed over him. "Wildfire!" he blurted out not quite knowing or understanding why. The whole of the blade burst into flames. He shook his head, "Quench!" Before the stunned eyes of Aster and Sardan the flame went out. Pocet pulled out the longsword he had bought from Aster back in Junsac and tested the sheath. True to Aster's words, the new magical blade fit perfectly. He pulled it back out of the sheath and set it next to the Elvin Silver one. They were identical in size. "Wow!"

Sardan blinked then shook his head, "Um, yes, I believe wow is as good a word as any," he moved over to the falchion and took hold of the pummel. Much the same thing happened to him as happened to Pocet. "Static!" The whole of the blade crackled with electrical energy. He paused and took a few practice swings the called out, "Disperse!" instantly the electrical energy seemed to jump off the blade and entered the ground. Everyone's hair and feathers stood up for a moment before everything went back to normal.

"Awesome!" Aster stated as he cuddled into Pocet.

Pocet kissed Aster gently, "Well said. Very well said."

"I wonder what the dives will do when we give them to Conner." Sardan mused aloud.

Just then Conner entered the building and frowned, "I must a missed something. What dives and what are they supposed to do?"

Pocet pointed to the table, "You tell us."

Conner's eyes went wide as he saw the eight four pointed disks. He then looked closer and frowned, "Um they ain't got blades."

Sardan took a closer look and scratched his head. "You are most assuredly correct. I had not noticed when I collected them from the forge. Are they finished Aster?"

Aster took a deep breath. "This will sound crazy, but I think so. Grab one Conner."

Conner moved up and examined them closely. In the middle of the disk were two marks. One was the Holy symbol of Golan and the other was a magical rune of some sort. Then on each of the points there was an additional magic rune. They were perfectly placed to where his grip would rest across exactly one and only one of the runes. He picked it up and gasped it in preparation for a combat throw. As his grip touched the rune of one of the points, the formerly dull edge became razor sharp, only it was made of ice, not metal.

He adjusted his grip to touch one of the other runes instead and the ice vanished off the edge and was replaced by obsidian.

Once again he rolled the dive in his fingers and his grip came to rest on the third rune. Once again the sharp edge faded and was replaced by something new this time, only no one could see it, yet Conner knew it was there. The edges now held a very sharp wind blade. He switched his grip one last time to touch the final spike rune and the edges were suddenly coated with fiery lava. He flipped it around to where the blades were ice and tossed it across the room. It imbedded in a doorframe.

"Ok so what happens when I say Recall?"

The moment he spoke the word 'recall' all eight dives appeared back in his hand, but the middle rune stopped glowing.

Conner almost dropped them in surprise then shook his head. I guess the middle rune only works once a day just like I kind of knew it would. Yet I don't even know how I knew!"

Sardan went over to the doorframe and noticed it still had some ice on it where the dive had stuck in. "Dives of the elements?"

"Water, earth, air, and fire." Conner muttered in awe. "Yea, that's a good a name as any for em!" He then looked at Aster, "How did you make these?"

"I had lots of help," Aster managed to shrug, but even the slight shoulder motion required to do so sent a stab of pain through him.

Conner noticed and shook his head. "You best get some rest bro. You look like a mundane Halfling could whip ya!"

Aster nodded in agreement but turned to face Conner. "You knew our mom, so I need to ask you something."

"Shoot."

"Was she a princess?"

Conner started laughing. "She was a lot of things, but a princess was not one of them!" He calmed for a moment but it was clear he still found the question absurd. "Thanks for the weapons, Aster, but you must have worked way too hard to ever come up with a question so crazy!"

As Conner walked out still giggling, the Ruinseeker from the Thunder Rapids who was in charge of teaching all the dependants of the crew how to read and write walked over and sat down at the table with Aster. "I couldn't help but see and hear everything, so do you mind if I ask you a quick question?"

"I don't know how the magic works," Aster replied quickly, "I had nothing to do with those magical writings!"

The man waved his hand, "As much as I would love to know more about the runes, I was not going to ask about them. I was more interested in why you would wonder if your mom was a princess?"

Aster laid his head against Pocet, "I know how weird all this must seem, but when the Dwarf was helping me and talking, he kept calling me 'My Prince' and he also called Conner, 'Prince Conner'. Since we probably had different dads, it would stand to reason the only way both of us could be princes would be if our mother was a queen or a princess."

Sardan turned to the Ruinseeker. "Why are you giving him such a questioning look? Aster would not lie about such things."

The man held up a finger to stop Sardan. "Aster, are you sure it was a Dwarf and he called you my prince?"

"Positive."

Pocet dismissed the whole thing as he picked up the exhausted boy; "I'll let you two discuss this. I'm getting this boy cleaned up and into a nice soft bed where he belongs," Pocet glanced at the Eldwar longsword and called out "Sheath!" The blade disappeared from the table and appeared in his sheath. "Now I can guarantee you I will come to really like this. But for now I have more important matters to attend to. Sardan, would you kindly bring my other sword to my quarters for me?"

"I would be happy to." Sardan replied then waited until Pocet was out of earshot. Sardan then hardened, "Why is this so important?"

The man didn't hesitate, "No Dwarf would ever address an Elf as 'My Prince' unless 3;"

Sardan felt his blood go cold and his own knowledge of royal court customs took over, "Unless a Dwarf was addressing a true Alphar Prince!"

Sardan and the Ruinseeker both turned to stare out the door Pocet had taken. Both of them spoke at the same time, "But I thought there were no more Alphar!"

Chapter 20

Kandric

Kandric glanced back at the group from the Slome School with a bit of a smirk. Their inexperience showed from the moment they headed out for the overnighter at Bloody Rock. All the students had way over packed for such a trip and were now paying the price. Many of the kids labored under packs easily five times as heavy as the one Kandric carried and several of the students had gone on overkill mode with weapons as well as armor. Part of him wanted to push forward to teach them all a lesson, but his instincts told him a rest may be the very thing to prevent an exhausted student from being careless, twisting an ankle or worse.

Kandric signaled back for everyone to take a ten-minute break. Once he was sure all the students along with Rylop and Londow from the town guard were all there he scouted ahead pointing to Zeltoss to join him. As soon as he moved out Rylop and Londow moved into a lead position to watch over the students while the teacher from the school stayed back guarding the rear.

Zeltoss caught up to Kandric and headed down the ridgeline staying in Kandric's footsteps, "I'm sure glad you told me what to take. I'm not sure I would have made it this far carrying half of what some of those guys decided to stuff into their packs.

Kandric snickered as he took and knee and used the vantage point to scan the surrounding area. "Half of them were huffing and puffing before we got out of the gates of Slome."

"I noticed." Zeltoss grinned. "But why didn't you warn the rest of them like you did me?"

Kandric glanced over at his friend, "First off, you asked for help, none of the rest did. Second, and far more importantly, is the fact you need to learn how to travel light. We will be going through much worse territory, much faster then we are now, and with your build you will need to watch what you carry. You have speed and grace, not raw power. Then again, you are not a Swordsman; those students back there are, so strength is something you don't need as much as they do."

"How much will I have to carry where we are going?"

"Just a bit more than you are now. Captain Vondum and I are both Outdoorsman, and we will be in a swamp so food will not be a problem, although you will have to get used to eating a few things that might not seem so appetizing."

Zeltoss frowned "Like what?"

"Fish, maybe even need to eat it raw if we are in a hurry, snakes, grubs, and other meats that may not be on a normal wish list," Kandric rolled his eyes as he saw the look in Zeltoss' eyes, "It is not too late to say no."

"There is no chance I am changing my mind, Kandric. None. But I have to say I will see you eat that stuff first before I eat some!"

Kandric patted his friend on the back with a smile, "Deal."

Zeltoss took a deep breath, "This whole trip keeps sounding more and more interesting."

"Keep your attitude the same and it will be, start letting what is going on get under your skin and interesting will suddenly become aggravating, and then your whole outlook and your desire to push forward will disappear."

"You may need to remind me if I do start getting down."

Kandric nodded, "No problem there. My Teacher used to press home the same point when I started letting things get under my skin. He taught me the real trick is to look at any task, desirable or not, as a challenge and a chance to learn and experience new things. Take chopping wood, for instance. I hated it with a passion, so my Teacher made me do it all the time. Then one day he came up and started challenging me. He pitted the wood against me. Each swing of the axe was a test against my prior swing. Did it cut deeper, did I learn the grain of the wood and how it splits better with each prior swing, or was it just the wood beating me up?"

Zeltoss nodded slowly, "So with each swing he was teaching you how to better judge the wood, how to use what you found out on your prior swing to make your next one better?"

"Exactly," Kandric made a motion of swinging the axe, "But it went beyond those lessons. Through his guidance, chopping wood also taught me how to judge the strength of different types of wood and even the quality of the wood I was cutting. It became a game for me, where I was in a battle with the wood and it was trying to wear me down as I tried to chop it. In some weird way, a way I still have not yet grasped, he taught me to like to chop wood. Now it actually is a way I unwind and work out aggression and anger."

"Gee, I never heard of making a game out of hard work before."

"My Teacher was a master at making work play and making playtime into something that was more than just fun. Everything he allowed me to do helped me learn something, build up strength, endurance, coordination, memory, or something else of equal value. His idea of play time was just allowing me to do something I liked in a way suited to his teaching me," Kandric looked Skyward and sighed, "And I miss him."

Zeltoss gave Kandric a squeeze on the shoulder, "I sure hope I get to meet him one day."

"Me to," Kandric then whispered so softly his friend couldn't even hear him, "Because if you do I will get to see him again as well." Kandric broke out of his wishful thinking to see Glaster as he scanned the rocky slope again. Seeing nothing of danger he stood up, "We better get a move on. We still have a third of a day hike to make Bloody Rock and it is almost high sun. At this rate we will not make it there until nightfall."

Zeltoss followed Kandric back toward the resting students; "You could have them lighten their packs."

"I could," Kandric agreed, "But to do so would be to teach them they could abandon what they did not want to carry at any time. Life is not so kind. They made choices and they must now learn to deal with them."

Zeltoss frowned, "What other choice was there? They didn't know 3;"

"They could have done exactly what you did," Kandric countered before yelling for the assembled students to grab their gear and get ready to head out.

Zeltoss nodded in silent agreement. Thinking only to himself he commented, "They could have asked for some guidance." As he did so Zeltoss realized Kandric was also sending him a message about what to expect during the upcoming trip. He would be responsible for his actions and would face consequences far beyond a tongue lashing from a teacher or a bruise in the combat pit for mistakes. Life on the move with Kandric was not going to be easy, but it would be interesting.

Jamon

Since being named as lead slave for Kandric Jamon's life had improved some. He had freedom to roam the whole Swamp Slums area; he got better food, and was much better dressed than the others Kandric and Vondum had acquired over the past couple of weeks. The problems and demands of being lead slave, however, were something he had not been ready for. He was a boy, not a brutal slave master. The problem was, each day he was forced to become more of a slave driver and it was taking a large toll.

Jamon had gone from simply having to do what he was told to having to tell others what to do and then make sure it was getting done. This seemed easy enough, except he tried to do too much work and to little ordering. Then, when he started figuring out how to keep the others busy he realized this also kept him very busy. However, when something was done incorrectly or not at all Jamon was the one who Vondum came looking for. There were no excuses when dealing with the man. Every time something went even slightly wrong the blame was first put on him and he was punished. Then and only then did Vondum demand to know who had not done what.

At first Jamon tried to take all the blame, but Vondum didn't buy it. This only got him another crack of a stick across his legs or back then another demand for Jamon to tell the horrible man who had not done his or her job. Minutes latter the sounds of crying echoed in the swamp as the kid Jamon pointed to was punished, usually brutally.

On the other hand, Sy had been extremely helpful as both a person to turn to when one of the slaves disobeyed or he needed some guidance. The man was somewhere between Kandric, who was basically very nice, and Vondum. He took time to show Jamon how to order the other slaves around and made it clear to all of the other kids that Jamon was in charge of them and that his commands were law unless their owners directly countermanded them. Sy was also very strict and expected to see Jamon take each lesson and learn from it. More than once Jamon found his arm painfully twisted behind him and his face shoved into a bucket of water by Sy to the point where he almost passed out.

But Sy only resorted to this when Jamon balked at doing what he was told or his mind wandered and he lost track of whatever Sy was trying to teach him. The pain also went away quickly compared to the welts left behind from Vondum's punishments. Jamon also knew it helped his own position when the slaves under him saw him get punished for his own mistakes. There was no question in anyone's mind Jamon was still one of the slaves.

This worked well for a while, but like everything else over the past few weeks, life was not kind or simple. Jamon knew the day would come when Sy would move from punishing the other slaves for transgressions to having Jamon take over this task as well. The problem was Jamon had not expected it this soon nor could the slave who needed punishment have been worse.

The day had started off well. Vondum showed up and told Sy to begin work on a central stockade on the far end of the Swamp Slums. He ordered Jamon to get all the slaves out and to grab the shovels and other equipment he had brought with him. Vondum spent a few minutes with Sy, telling the man the basics of what would be required. The evil man then left to take care of other business.

Sy wasted no time giving Jamon orders. The first task would be to level and clear a huge space of land. Over two dozen trees would have to be chopped down then their roots dug up. All the rocks and smaller brush would also have to be taken out. Sy pointed out that he would pay some swamp dwellers to chop down the trees and dig out the roots because such a task was simply too hard for children, but he did want all the scrub brush and rocks moved out of the area. He also wanted a path wide enough for two wagons to move past each other side by side. For this he didn't want to spend more coin taking out trees, instead it would be up to Jamon to wind a clear path from where he wanted the stockade to the road leading past the Swamp Slums.

Jamon set about doing what Sy wanted. He put all the slaves to work getting rid of the rocks and undergrowth within the area Sy showed him then began to look for the best way to put in a road. After nearly an hour he thought he had found a good way but it would require the removal of one tree. He marked the path with stones went up to Sy and explained what he thought.

Sy walked the path with him and agreed it would be a good path on solid ground but did stop Jamon by placing a hand on his shoulder. "Yer plan be a good one, but we ain't payin' to remove the tree. Yer gunna have ta get rid it, chop out them roots and fill in the hole with rock and dirt. It ain't nearly as big as many round here, so grab a few slaves and gets ta work. You'll have ta fill in the hole a few times before it stops settlin', but any road's gunna need work now and again."

Jamon took the news in stride. It seemed rather silly to have to remove one tree when half the men in the Swamp Slums were working for Sy doing the exact same thing, but orders were orders. He went back to where the slaves were working hard cutting out bushes and rolling a few big rocks.

He looked over the group for a moment and decided the biggest kids would be needed for the removal of the tree. He called over Conth and one other boy and led them to the tree. He explained what needed to be done then started to move away to better mark the road so the other kids could take out the brush.

Jamon didn't get very far before Conth threw down the axe and yelled, "I'm sick of you getting out of all the hard work!"

Jamon turned slowly. One of the first things Sy had taught him about being the lead slave was he could not back down. "Conth, pick up the axe and get to work."

Conth stood firm, "Make me!"

Jamon took in a deep breath, "Don't do this. You know what will happen to both of us if you don't do what you're told. Just pick up the axe and get the tree down."

"No! You do it."

Jamon could almost feel the beating he knew he would get from Vondum should the man hear of this. He also knew what he would get would be only half of what would happen to his cousin. He moved up to Conth fully ready to fight him, knowing that with Conth having some training he would probably get his butt kicked, but Jamon figured if he got his butt kicked it would show Vondum he had tried to do his job. Sy pointed out several times that failure was bad in Vondum's eyes, but fear and not trying was far worse.

Conth laughed, "So you want to get knocked on your butt?"

"Go for it," Jamon snarled.

He didn't have to wait long. Conth's fist caught him in the side. Jamon felt a flair of raw anger, a rage that he had not been allowed to tap into since the day he had been captured by the Illorcs. He leapt on Conth and knocked him to the ground. Jamon went wild; while his fists hammered into his cousin, his knees, head, and even teeth all became weapons.

The fight stopped as suddenly as it had started. Jamon found himself yanked off Conth and flung backwards into a bush. He jumped up ready to fight only to see Sy towering over Conth who was still down on the ground bawling.

It was at this point Jamon realized the beating he had expected at the hands of his cousin had been an unfounded fear. He had beaten his cousin down and only had the first bruise on his side plus skinned knees and elbows from wrestling and beating his cousin.

Sy, on the other hand grabbed the other boy, "What's goin' on here!"

Jamon came up breathing hard, "He didn't do anything. It was all me and Conth."

Sy let the other boy go as he slowly turned to Jamon, "Really?"

The other boy spoke up, grateful that Jamon had spoken up for him, "Conth wouldn't cut the tree down. Told Jamon to do it, then tried ta fight him when Jamon got in his face."

Sy's expression changed from anger to amusement. He glanced down at Conth then back to Jamon. "Me thinks we has a winner."

The other boy couldn't help it. He snickered. "No Doubt!"

Sy glanced back at the other boy, "Are ya doin' what you were told?"

The boy shook his head and quickly went to work on the tree.

"I didn't think so." Sy chuckled as he scratched his head. He then focused back on Jamon. "I thought yer cousin had some trainin' and ya didn't have none."

"He does and I don't," Jamon admitted, "I guess it didn't make as much difference as I figured it would. He was just about to test for Training step three."

Sy shook his head, "No, I've seen Vondum work with Conth. He should be able ta whip any mundane kid. There be only one possible reason. Yer not mundane."

Jamon sighed, "No, I am Animal Adept. My father would not pay for training unless his kids were spell casters so I never got formal training. Kandric has worked with me some on Ruinseeker stuff and wants me to play with wild animals when I get a chance, but that's it."

Sy shrugged, then picked up the still crying Conth by the back of his britches. "I'll talk ta Kandric 'bout it later. Right now me be thinkin' it be time ta move ya on with bein' a lead slave. Come with me. Let this one get the tree down by himself." Sy paused long enough to stare the other boy down, "Don't go nowheres till this falls, then find Jamon so he can find ya some help."

Once satisfied the boy would get the job done, Sy lead the way back to the small hut where all the slaves slept and roughly tossed Conth inside. He barred the door effectively locking Conth in before he went to the wagon Vondum had dropped off. He climbed in the back and dug around, "Ah! Here we go!" He shouted a few minutes later. "I know Vondum had a few of these tucked away somewhere."

He came back with a pair of whips, one smaller, designed for a small being or child. The small one he handed to Jamon. "Ever used one these before?"

Jamon felt his stomach flip, "No sir. I have no practice in any weapons."

"Well, today you will learn yer first real weapon."

For over two hours Sy worked with Jamon. First he got the boy used to the feel of the whip then he showed him how to use it properly. They took a break allowing Jamon a chance to check on the slaves and send someone to help the other boy with chopping and digging the tree root out. Another hour of practice convinced Sy that Jamon was comfortable with the whip. He set up a bunch of targets and had Jamon strike at them.

Both Sy and Jamon were surprised at how well Jamon had picked up the basics of such a difficult weapon. Finally Sy patted Jamon on the back. "Good. Now we need to go take care of a problem."

Sy lead the way over to the hut and unbarred the door. Inside the dim light was enough to show off the fat lip, blackened eyes, and bruised body of Conth who sat against the wall. Jamon had an idea of what would be expected and it made him slightly ill, but he knew he had no choice.

Sy snorted as he moved to grab the boy who made an effort to getaway but failed to even stand up. "So you don't want ta do what yer told huh?" Sy snarled as he tossed the boy back into the corner with enough force to nearly knock the wind out of him.

Conth's throat was dry after crying and getting no water for hours. He tried to speak but the words didn't come. He swallowed what little spit he could produce. "I'll chop the tree."

"Too late. It dropped a full hour ago." Sy growled, "This ain't 'bout a tree. It's 'bout you refusin' ta follow orders. Vondum, me and Kandric all made a point ta tell ya Jamon be the lead slave. Ya ain't allowed ta tell a lead slave what yer gunna do!"

Conth's lip trembled, "I'm sorry!"

"Not as sorry as yer gunna be." Sy stated with a slight note of sadness. "Jamon, here, is goin' ta spend some time showin' you what'll happen whenever you er the others refuse to do what yer told from here on out."

Sy backed up, "Jamon, nothin' ta the face. Don't hesitate none, just do it and get it over with."

Before Conth realized what was going on the whip snapped against his arm. He screamed.

Sy held up his hand to stop Jamon he moved forward and looked at the boy's arm. "Not bad, but pull back quicker. Ya want pain not real injury. Ya took off too much flesh. That be a good combat strike though!" Sy backed up, "Again!"

Jamon bit back tears as he unleashed the whip against his cousin a second time. This time he pulled back too soon and missed. Still Conth screamed and wet his pants.

Sy took this in stride, "This is a great deal harder than a chuck of wood or cloth, huh?"

Jamon managed a nod, not trusting his voice.

Sy paused and moved over to Jamon, "I know ya don't wanna do this, but ya gotta take bein' a lead slave serious."

Jamon snapped the whip again, this time the tip hit much higher than he wanted it, striking Conth in the collarbone. A high pitched wail could be heard well outside the hut.

Sy put a hand on Jamon's shoulder. "Not a problem. Wipe the tears away kiddo. Now hold up fer a second and try ta calm down. Aim a little low fer now until you get a better feel with it. I don't want ya putting out an eye accidentally. Anything else we can pretty much fix. Now try ta get yer range just between the first strike and the second attempt. We'll just forget out this last one."

Jamon blinked tears out of his eyes as he stuck again. This time the whip left a dark purple welt on Conth's leg that oozed a little blood.

Conth howled and rolled on the ground thrashing in agony.

Sy moved back over to Conth and looked at the impact mark. "Perfect." Sy stated with no real emotion. "I want ten more just like it then three combat hits on his back or the back of his legs. Sy then ripped Conth's clothing off of him, tossing the rags in the corner. "Make sure they are well scattered so Vondum will not find an area he will think needs more attention. Otherwise we will have to start over again when he comes back. Get one solid shot on each foot while I hold him down. Do not hit me either!"

Jamon had to force bile back down his throat as he heard what Sy wanted, yet the warning about Vondum told him Sy was going easy on Conth compared to what Vondum would have demanded. Jamon focused on hitting each foot. The back to back shots were harder than he intended, but he had to make sure he didn't hit Sy. He was sure the man would have taken the whip to him if he had hit him.

Sy let Conth go and stood, "Well done. eight more, make sure one of em hits his butt. Then three hard combat strikes."

Jamon tried his best to shut out the screaming of his cousin, tried to pull back at the moment of impact to lessen the blow, but twice this only caused Sy to stop him and point out the need inflict a decent wound and made the strikes not count. One of his hits went wild and hit Conth in the chest. This blow was counted, but Sy again stopped him to warn him of the dangers of hitting a bare chest with a whip. Ribs could be cracked and unseen damage inside could occur.

Finally Sy rolled Conth over and held him on his stomach. The last three lashes left angry red bloody strips across Conth's thighs, butt and back and left Jamon in a mild shock over what he had done.

Sy stood and escorted Jamon out of the hut. "I've told ya in the past there be ways to break a slave without force, but even then, sometimes ya gotta show who be boss. Never let one a them slaves under ya threaten ya er tell ya no. Them be two things a slave just can't be allowed ta do!"

Jamon nodded fighting hard to hold back the tears he knew would come shortly. He started to hand the whip back, but was stopped.

Sy pushed the whip back into Jamon's hand, "Ya earned that taday. Don't use it cause ya can, use it cause ya need to. As time permits I'll work with ya some more and shows ya how ya can even hunt with it. I am very good with a whip. With Kandric's permission I'll start workin' with ya on other weapons to." Sy then paused and put his arm around Jamon, "I'm bettin' yer gunna go ball yer eyes out. Do it. Get it out a yer system 'fore Vondum gets back. Don't let him see ya cryin' cause a what ya did er you'll pay fer it. He might make ya smack Conth a timer er two more just so he can watch ya. If'n he does, do it and make em count and stand tall. He'll want ta see ya bein' tough and not be 'fraid a causin' some pain."

Jamon gulped hard, knowing Sy was not only telling him the truth, but by teaching him to do what he had done when Vondum was not around had probably saved him and Conth from a much worse punishment. Jamon moved around to the side of the hut and cried.

Jamon knelt and took a deep breath. He stuck a bronze mug into the water of the bucket next to the old hut and took a couple of good-sized gulps. As he did so he noticed his hands were badly shaking. He closed his eyes and lightly banged his head on the side of the hut.

Inside the hut the muffled cries burned into Jamon's skull. He suddenly turned his head to the side and puked, not from some sickness, but from disgust over what he had just done.

Jamon walked away from everyone for nearly an hour. He tired to regain his composure as the memories of what he had just done to Conth, his cousin and his best friend, played over and over again in his mind.

Jamon washed out the taste in his mouth with another drink of water only to puke again as he noticed for the first time bloody bits of flesh on the whip that was now his. He wondered if he would ever look at himself as human again.

Finally his brother came up to him, "Jamon are you OK?"

Jamon wrapped his arms around the boy and shook his head. "No, no I'm not. I had to hurt Conth!"

The boy frowned, "But we hear he hit you first and wouldn't do what he was told."

Jamon choked back a sob as he grabbed his brother by the shoulders; "Did you see what I had to do to him Sanef?"

"Sy made all of us see him," the boy nodded, "Vondum has him staked outside in that tent he made him put up. Vondum wants to see you but said you could take a little more time if you needed it."

Jamon was stunned to hear this, "Vondum said I could take more time?"

"Yea, Sy was just as surprised as the rest of us."

Jamon took a deep breath, "OK, fine. I'll be there in a few minutes."

Glaster

Glaster used the first half of the day to more carefully watch all of the boys under his care in not only their combat courses, but also their studies. It didn't take long to see a huge discrepancy between the other boys and the child he was now certain was Zoldon.

The other five were far advanced in book learning, general knowledge, history, and writing, but none of them had half the overall fighting, Field and Subfield skills as Zoldon. In fact, Glaster realized this was something everyone had missed over and over again. Zoldon had not been made to keep pace with his brother. Instead the boy had been forced to exceed Klandon's skills by a wide, wide margin.

Glaster again kicked himself. He had seen it all before. The games he had the boys play were below Zoldon's abilities while challenging to the other five. Even looking back to the game of roll the hoop which had lead to him breaking the back of the so-called assassination attempts, he had seen the boys' disparity in skills. Zoldon had been able to expertly maneuver the hoop with the stick toward the wall while the others found it difficult to keep the hoop rolling at all.

The others found the combat courses Glaster had helped to set up to be murderous. They dripped with sweat, cried in pain from getting hit repeatedly by an assortment of wooden and padded weapons, and they ended with bruises galore. Zoldon, on the other hand, had some trouble with the course, but had beaten it on the first day.

Glaster even added a couple of surprises just for Zoldon, because the whole point of the course was to make the kids realize they were not as good as they would have liked to believe. But once again, Zoldon had made it through and with his astonishing change in behavior toward Mylan, had even pointed out what he and the others were doing wrong. The next time through Mylan also managed to complete the course, much to the astonishment and aggravation of the others who had not yet come close.

Even the fight in the street showed skill far above what a training Echelon step two should have been able to handle. Zoldon had eliminated two much bigger kids and left them in dire need of a Healthman. Of course Mylan had also taken down a kid with a great deal of ease, but had not done near the damage Zoldon had done.

However the sudden friendship between the two boys gave him an idea on how he might be able to break through some of the magical tampering Zoldon had been put through.

Glaster chewed on his lip as the kids broke up and went to get cleaned up. Finally he looked up, "Zol 3; Um, Klandon, Mylan come here a minute," Glaster then muttered to himself as he reminded himself the boy in his care would have to remain known as Klandon to everyone including Zoldon and the other boys. It was not Zoldon's fault, as he firmly believed he was Klandon. Besides to tip his hand now, would cause untold problems and even wide spread panic in the kingdom. If worse came to worse, Glaster decided, Zoldon could stay as Klandon for the rest of his life. No one would have to know. This was especially true since Glaster had lots to time to undo the damage done to the boy and there was no longer any magical control to force the boy into destroying his father's kingdom.

The boys came over and looked up. Both could see the man was somewhat pre-occupied in other thoughts so they remained quiet with their arms draped victoriously over each other's shoulders.

Glaster finally knelt and smiled at the display of comradery. "First off, congratulations to both of you. You are really pushing the others to keep up with you."

Mylan grinned, "It is all thanks to Klandon sir. I kept missing a few small things which set me up to fail."

Glaster ruffled both boys' hair which gave him the beginnings of yet another hard on. One way or another Glaster knew he would have to find a boy very soon. He could not keep having sexual thoughts over the boys entrusted to him by high royalty. It just was not proper. They were above him in caste, and to force or trick them into sexual activities would be to betray the trust of a higher caste member, and therefore be a crime. The only way he could enjoy these boys would be to first ask their fathers, who may or may not agree. But Glaster also knew he should have done so before agreeing to take over their training. Since he had not, it simply was not an option.

Glaster pushed aside those thoughts. "I realize Klandon has given you some guidance, which, I firmly approve of and appreciate. However, this new closeness between you also opens up a chance for me to even something out which I have not liked since this trip started.

"I want to adjust a few things. I know this might disappoint the others, but I would really like the two of you to team up on the merchant caravan. This way, there will be three teams of two and no one will hold an advantage. I am not demanding this, but it would be nice to put everyone on a level field. What do you think?

Mylan glanced over at Klandon, "Fine by me sir."

"Me to." Klandon agreed with a degree of relief. "But, can you make it seem like you ordered it er something so Mylan ain't got to look like he is the bad guy?"

Mylan pushed Klandon slightly, "Ain't and er in the same sentence?"

Klandon smacked his head and sighed, "I'm 3;grrrr 3; I am sorry."

Glaster grabbed both boys shoulders, "I will agree to look like the bad guy as long as the two of you continue to help each other. Mylan can help you with your speech and writing problems since your return from the islands while you can work with Mylan to improve his combat abilities. I will expect an extra private two hours of work with each of you every day. One hour on studies, one hour on combat, agreed?"

"More than fair." Mylan stated quickly, "We both win!"

Klandon also nodded, "Absolutely!"

Glaster stood. "Great! Now I have one more thing I want you each to do today. I want to take you both to the guilds and get you re-tested. I have a feeling you are both better than your current pins show and well above the others as well."

"Really?" Mylan's eyes lit up with some excitement, "Why?"

Glaster grinned, "Because you both made it though a course designed to make you fail, you both beat the snot out of kids I had to fix up with some pretty powerful healing spells, and most importantly, it is a gut feeling I have."

Kandric

Kandric again called for the group to halt as he looked over Bloody Rock from the other side of the stream. He glanced back at Zeltoss; "Something is close and watching us. I can feel it. Go get Rylop and have him come up here."

Zeltoss nodded with a shrug, "Sure."

Rylop advanced at a crouch, "What's up Kandric?"

Teacher Saslara also moved up and frowned almost instantly. "We are not alone."

Kandric grinned as he turned to Rylop, "What she said. I do not see anyone or anything though."

Rylop scanned the area, "Me neither. But of course, I don't even feel nothing yet."

Saslara snickered, "To be honest I didn't notice it till I concentrated, so it appears Kandric once again shows his skills to be well into the Teaching Echelon, this time as an Outdoorsman."

"Think how I feel." Rylop grumbled, "I'm only Primary."

"Yea," Saslara whispered, "but remember there are a bunch of students, some of whom are not even Outdoorsman and all of them just trainees who are wondering what we are talking about up here." She paused and looked over to Kandric, "What do you think?"

Kandric again surveyed the area, "I am not sure, but something is watching us right now and something else is watching that something from somewhere else close by. Watch my body for a few minutes. I am going to take a look from the spirit realms.

Rylop watched Kandric's body go limp and turned to Saslara, "This is the first time I have ever worked with a Shaman before. What exactly is he doing and how?"

"A Shaman draws power from the spirit world and can exit their bodies and enter the spirit world. Other than that, I really don't know. I have never seen anyone pull this stunt before so I am as bewildered as you are."

Kandric entered the spirit realm and looked for the wind spirit, and found it as he was used to messing with some nearby trees. "Anything else in the area?"

"Only a couple of water spirites playing in the stream. You will want to be careful. They tend to like to overturn rocks as people in your world try to cross. I do, however, think you are being shadowed but have yet to locate who or what. It is an odd situation to say the least. I felt a gate open close to you last night, but all my investigations and similar ones done by your misty friend have turned up nothing.

"However, there is a pair of Black Dragonlings watching you from the four large boulders just north of the hill of iron. They have a Rock Demonette watching the spirit world for them too, so one of them is probably a Shaman."

Kandric frowned deeply; "There is no way I can take a bunch of students against Dragonlings. I guess I will have to do this the hard way, but first I need to eliminate any warnings from the spirit world."

Kandric moved quickly circling around Bloody Rock and coming in from behind. The second he saw the small Demonette he focused his power and let loose with the most powerful burst of wind spear he could manage. The air-based spell caught the pesky little Demonette completely off guard knocking it off the side rocks and a good way up on Bloody Rock.

The two Black Dragonlings saw some stones roll down the side of Bloody Rock and talked it over. The smaller of the two decided to take a peek into the spirit realm only to see the horribly wounded Demonette it had managed to get a favor from get a second wind spear from a mere boy. The second air attack was all it took to shatter the earth based beast from the lower plains.

The second Dragonling could not see what had happened but did notice a large rock sitting on the side of Bloody Rock shatter and the smaller rocks roll down the hill. It figured there was a problem, but couldn't figure out what. It wanted to do something but protecting the body of its partner who was in the spirit realm had to be its priority.

Kandric saw the new arrival to the spirit realms but was more than a little pleased to see the shock on its features as it realized its ally had not gotten a single shot in let alone been able to warn anyone of the attack.

Kandric hated to spend more force, but he didn't see much choice. He had to protect himself from attack spells while he maneuvered to deal with the latest threat. He rolled his thumbs and placed a spell shield over himself. He then moved on the Dragonling angling so the Dragonling's left side had a boulder next to it.

Above the wind spirit swirled nervously. It didn't see any way Kandric could survive a battle with such a large foe, but the boy had not asked for help which left this battle out of its hands for the moment.

On the far side of the river Rylop and Saslara watched as Kandric's limp body mumbled a pair of spells and felt a brief gust of wind blow away from his body. About the same time they noticed two large puffs of dust on the side of Bloody Rock. This was followed seconds later by yet another muttering and a greenish glow washed over the boy's body.

Zeltoss moved up and looked on with great concern. "What is wrong with Kandric?"

Saslara held up her hands in frustration. "I think he is fighting something in the spirit world. But I have only heard of this kind of thing. Only the most powerful Shamen are willing or able to fight in the realms of the immortals though!"

"What can we do to help?"

Rylop shook his head, "At the moment nothing."

Kandric continued to close on the Dragonling. Then just as the beast got close, he dodged hard to the right in a maneuver Glaster taught him.

The Dragonling looked on the charging child with more amusement than anything else readied for the charge. But when the boy darted to its left, the Dragonling reached out with its arm, claws extended.

Kandric gritted his teeth and grabbed the outstretched arm like a lever. Even though the beast was a great deal stronger than he was, a widely stretched arm was no match for his charge. Instead of the claws ripping into him he simply spun the Dragonling in a partial circle then used every drop of his power to push extra hard as the arm connected with the large boulder. Kandric grinned as he felt the elbow hyper extend then snap.

The Dragonling let out a string of curses and a brief howl of pain as it managed to pull its arm out of the boy's grip. It then fired off a Force Punch spell at the child. All this accomplished was to cause the glow around the boy to vanish.

Outside of the spirit realms the second Dragonling watched in helpless horror as its partner's arm bent back them snapped at the elbow. It moved to see if it could figure out how to help its friend or at least splint the wound. It darted out of the cover of the boulder only to get Elvin Silver Steel arrow shaft with an emerald arrowhead in its temple.

Crouching down in the woods about 150 meters away a lone Alphar archer notched another arrow. It spoke to a second Alphar lying on the ground next to him with a near panicked whisper. "I do not have a clear shot at the second one. Do we need to close? You have to tell me something. We cannot afford to lose this child or Queen Jostalis will have our heads!"

Back in the spirit world, the wind spirit swirled in a huge circle above Kandric. It was still concerned about Kandric, as the boy was still fighting a very dangerous foe, but the advantage was now squarely with the boy. The wind spirit also noticed an arrow strike with perfect precision into the second Dragonling outside of the Spirit Realm. The glow of the magic was the most powerful the wind spirit had ever seen. Yet as it looked in the direction the arrow came from it was far more astonished to see an Elvin Shaman of immense power had entered the spirit reams as well. It noticed the newest arrival was carefully watching the fight at hand. Still, the wind spirit swirled high above the action and watched Kandric duck and roll under a thrown punch of the Dragonling. Kandric followed up with a hard kick into the Dragonling sending it off balance and into the boulder. The Dragonling roared in pain as its broken arm once again hit the rock. "Nice move my mortal friend!" the Wind Spirit shouted in glee.

Startled by this, the Dragonling Shaman looked up.

Kandric again took advantage leaping at the distracted Shaman and sticking his fingers into its eyes. The Dragonling screamed and tossed Kandric off of it like a rag doll, but all it did to Kandric was to scrape up his arm slightly.

Zeltoss noticed a sudden road rash appear of Kandric's left elbow. Spots of blood welled up from light tears in the skin which appeared out of nowhere. He grabbed a shirt out of his pack and pushed it up against the wound. "He is getting hurt!"

Rylop looked around; "We have got to do something."

Saslara shook her head; "This is out of our hands guys. We just have to trust the boy."

Kandric said a quick word of thanks to Syria for the wind armor pendant gift as he shook off the effects of being tossed about five meters back. He looked up to see the nearly blinded Dragonling on its knees clutching its gouged eyes. He moved around, picked up a large rock and smashed it down over the Dragonling's head. The first shot knocked it into the ground, but it took two more to kill it.

Kandric glanced skyward, "Thank you once again my friend!"

"I did nothing, but you have other company."

Kandric spun only to see a figure vanish. "Who was he?"

"An Elf. A Powerful One. I have no idea where he is either because he is invisible to us when he is not in the Spirit Realms. I think one of his friends dropped the other Dragonling with an arrow however."

Kandric glanced over only to see the figure of the second Dragonling outside the spirit world was indeed dead with a singe shaft through its skull. "Could it have been another helping hand from a god or goddess?"

"Not a chance Kandric," the wind spirit swirled around creating a bit of a dust devil in the mortal realm. "The Shaman was an Elf, but not one I have seen the likes of before. You need to be careful when you return to your realm. But I think you may have another friend out there somewhere."

"Great. Just what I need. One more unknown."

The wind spirit chuckled. "I have to admit having you as a friend has really made my existence a great deal more interesting. You better get back before your mortal friends go crazy."

Kandric laughed and bid the wind spirit a good day before returning to his body. He sat up and noticed Zeltoss was cleaning his arm. "Thank you!"

Zeltoss fell back and grabbed at his chest while swallowing hard, "Oh, don't do that again I think I just aged twenty years!"

Saslara was equally surprised but wanted information, "What were you fighting?"

Kandric grinned, "Only a Dragonling and a Demonette. The path to Bloody Rock is now clear, but I had some help. Someone took down a second Dragonling who was doing the same thing you guys were for me. We may want to back off and have your students set up a cold camp while we check out what we are up against here."

Saslara and Rylop looked at each other while Zeltoss spoke for them, "You take out a Dragonling and a demon thing and you act like it was a walk in the flipping park?"

"It was not a big deal. After all, I only got my arm scraped up, and will heal myself easily just before moon up as long as I still have force left. But I do not want to do so yet because I used quite a bit of casting energies already."

Rylop's mouth scrunched up for a few seconds; "I am going to have the kids pull back over the hill behind us while you two teachers figure out what we are going to do. I am way out of my league here. Rylop would have been even more concerned if he had been party to a conversation not far from where he stood.

On the far side of the stream the second Alphar suddenly sat up and shook his head. "You can stand down. Believe it or not, the boy won without my help."

"Against a Teaching Echelon Dragonling Shaman?"

"And a Rock Demonette," the second Alphar stated in some disbelief even though he had witnessed it. "The boy even has a wind spirit addressing him as friend, and no, the spirit did not help in the fight at all other than to surprise and distract the Dragonling for an instant."

"So the boy did not do it alone then."

"Wrong. The Dragonling already had a broken arm from a maneuver the boy pulled off without a spell. The spirit was doing nothing more than complementing the child on a spectacular move. If it had not done so, I would have."

The Alphar with the bow looked at his friend for a full minute; "You are not joking are you?"

"No. Furthermore the boy cast a spell I have never seen before. It was some sort of anti-magic barrier or something. This Kandric snapped the arm of a Dragonling eight times his weight and gouged its eyes out with hand to hand combat maneuvers even though he carries a Frozen Flame on his back which can be used in the spirit realms. I would honestly be concerned to take him on one on one."

"So why are we assigned to protect him?"

The Alphar Expert Echelon Shaman snickered, "Because he is an Alphar Prince. Because our Queen told us to. And most importantly because she is paying us a small fortune in extra danger duty pay which means this boy's survival may be vital to the entire Alphar court."

"But he is just a little kid!"

A twisted smirk formed on the Alphar Shaman's face, "Why not tell the Teaching Echelon Dragonling Shaman the kid who just made him look like some Primary Echelon scrub in a straight up combat is nothing more than just some little kid. If you could find his ghost, it would tell you a different story, I assure you."

***

Klent and his ragtag group of cutthroats from the Ghoul Drool made good time heading down toward Everone. None of them had any desire to stop, preferring to get as far away from Gambra's people as possible. They rode through a string of storms and pulled into the walled town of Rolling Dale. The snow from the storm over the past couple of days made a stop over in the city absolutely necessary. The draft animals were near exhaustion after pulling the wagon through the snow and feed for the draft animals along with the ones Klent had purchased for everyone to ride was running low.

He turned to Lidevar as they entered the city gates, "There is a cheap inn with a fun tavern under it on the far side of town. Jester's Brew, I think the name is. Get us three rooms and a place to put the mounts and the wagon. I'm going to head to the city square and see what prices are running for supplies and try to find someone hiring some extra protection for a caravan headed down to Everone. I am more than a little tired of spending all my coin. It's time you all start earning some to pay me back.

Klent turned to Jory "You want to join me?"

The young Healthman nodded, "Sure, I need some herbs since I left the village low on them and we haven't stopped anywhere."

Klent nodded, "I know. I don't have much money left, either. I have already spent 500 silver to outfit us and get everyone the basics.

Jory frowned, "I could hire out. My Healthman skills would bring in some coin."

Klent reached over and ruffled the boy's hair. "We are trying to be a merc unit for hire. It is my job, as the leader, to pay for all supplies and then hand out wages, not to send you in to make all of us money. Besides, I still have enough to keep us going for awhile. Even after I purchase healing herbs for you.

Jory grinned, "I don't mind. I am just happy to get to see other places. This is a huge city!"

Klent laughed, "Sorry to disappoint, but this is a town not a city my boy. Junsac is over four times this size and it is one of the smaller cities."

Jory's grin faded, "Really?"

Klent again reached over, this time patting the boy on the back, "Jory, if I had known you had never been out of the village of Macar, I would have taken you to Junsac just so you could see the place. We only lived a couple of hours from it!"

Jory nodded, "I know, but my instructor didn't want me going anywhere, cause he was only Secondary Echelon and he didn't want the hassle of having an apprentice before he was Teaching Echelon. As it was, I was tested by a guild member who came through, so, even though I passed the test and have the paperwork from a Teaching Echelon being, I don't even have guild pins."

Klent pulled hard on the reigns of his horse, "So you never got tested in the Mage Guild either?"

"Nope. Didn't test as Scorpion Sectwarrior either."

"Well, my boy, that is going to change right now. We are going to the Guilds and have you go through formal testing."

Jory's excitement returned instantly. "Alright!"

Klent took a moment to ask directions from a guard as to the location of the Mage Guild then lead the way through the streets.

Jory was astonished at what he was looking at. He was almost thriteen years old but many of the things he saw readily available in shop fronts and even small merchant push carts were items that he only saw when a large merchant caravan came through his tiny village.

It never occurred to him that there were Metalworkers who did nothing but make weapons or armor as the Metalworker in Macar could make a sword, but was just as happy to make bucket of nails or a bronze pot.

The fact there was a shop that did nothing but silver work right next to another forge which only handled gold work was almost beyond comprehension.

He kind of chuckled as he noticed a jewelry shop was right across the street from the two forges. It made sense because all three could work together on some things while still being able to do their own projects, but here again, was something he had never seen before. The thought of someone doing nothing but making and selling jewelry was pretty wild.

Finally Klent led him to a small three-story tower and hopped off his horse. "Here we are!" He quickly secured his own horse and Jory's next to a pair of War Steeds and a Dragon Steed. Jory leapt off his horse with a degree of eagerness as he gazed at the three majestic animals, but some of his nervousness also showed, "Is it true that the guilds go harder of those below the age of ascension?"

"Yea, especially as young as you are. But you are still in the Junsac Barony and there are two boys younger than you who are Secondary Echelon, maybe even three kids. So the testers in this area are more open to skilled children."

"Secondary?" Jory almost shouted, "How can a kid younger than me be Secondary Echelon?"

Just then Glaster walked out of the Mage Guild with Klandon and Mylan. The prince wore brand new Training Echelon step four pins while Mylan sported Training Echelon step three pins from his earlier test. Glaster smiled at the cute boy, "Quite simple young man. I trained him."

While Jory's mouth fell open at the sight of someone wearing Master Echelon Shaman pins, Klent's eyes fell on the Prince and his eyes went wide.

Glaster moved up to Jory half-wondering if he could pay the boy for a night or twenty in bed, "So are you here to test?"

Jory nodded and gulped. "Yes I am Master."

Glaster patted Jory on the back and took a moment to feel the boy's soft hair. The boy was very cute indeed. "There is no reason to call me by guild rank. It is only important to those who need to fear it, not to a beautiful lad such as yourself," Glaster took off the guild pins as he finished speaking. Normally he went without, but going to any Guild he tended to slip them on to cut down on arguments on why a Shaman was bringing a Mage to test. Just like the boy in front of him, those in the guilds saw the pins and ignored everything else.

Jory blushed slightly. "Beautiful? Me?"

"Without question," Glaster paused realizing the boy might just be available after all as the youngster didn't back away or look angry. Glaster really wanted a boy he could do what he wanted with, but a boy like the one standing before him would be a nice change. Glaster decided to see how far he might get. "So what is your name lad?"

Jory managed to smile but still shifted uncomfortably. He could tell the man standing before him was more than a little interested in him. "Jory sir."

Meanwhile Klent was carefully looking over the Prince. He turned away as not to stare which also allowed him to pull out a piece of parchment Lidevar had given him out of his belt. The drawing was of the child Gambra had wanted those she paid to attack the caravan to get for her. He carefully unfolded it and looked at it closely. The drawing and the boy matched right down to the tiny twin creases on the bottom of the chin and the left eye being a slightly lighter shade then the right eye.

Klent's blood ran cold. How could anyone hand over such a beautiful child to the likes of Gambra? There was no way he could let this happen. He watched the exchange between the Master Echelon Shaman and Jory for another moment before he interrupted. "My apologies Master Shaman, but is there any way we could all continue this conversation over dinner or something. I really need to get Jory here tested and buy things for my group before the shops close for the night."

Glaster raised an eyebrow, clearly not happy about someone interfering as he was trying to find a boy to enjoy for the night, but he relented without any real hesitation. "Yes, I should not be taking valuable time from a boy needing to test. Let me pay for a good meal for all of us at the Green Goblin about an hour after sunset?"

Klent agreed instantly thankful the guy didn't wipe the street with his broken body. Angering a Master Echelon being was just not something Klent had on his list of smart things to do.

Jamon

Jamon walked back to the hut after taking a few minutes to compose himself and to prepare for punishment or the need to further punish his cousin. He quickly spotted Conth chained to a post outside the hut.

Conth wore a burlap sack with holes cut into it for his arms and head and nothing else, not even a loin cloth. The welts from the whipping could still be seen on his arms, feet and legs, but they had been cleaned. The chains were long enough to allow his cousin to get into a small tent in case it rained, but he only had a thin blanket and no ground cloth.

Vondum saw him coming and smiled, "Well, there be our lead slave now!"

The man's demeanor could not have been any more surprising. There was no sign of malice in his tone or his features. Jamon kept his face as neutral as possible, "You needed to see me master?"

Vondum nodded, "As a matter of fact I didn't need to see you. I wanted to," he paused to glance back at Sy, "Does our lead slave need to take care of anything for the next hour or so?"

Sy, who looked completely astonished, shook his head, "Nothin' I can think of. If'n we need anything I'll handle it till he gets back."

Vondum motioned for Jamon to follow him. He started walking toward Slome. Once he was out of earshot of everyone he glanced down. "When you were first handed to me I thought you were a fighter. Then when you made it all the way to my camp I knew you had a rare inner drive. Finally, even after hanging on my wall, you never completely gave up. You remind me so much of what I was like as a kid it scares me."

Vondum paused and moved over to the side of the road before kneeling in front of Jamon. "The truth of the matter is, if I had it to do all over again, I would give Conth to Kandric and keep you. You have far more backbone than any three kids like your cousin."

Vondum took a deep breath, "But there is one thing I want you to know. Something I will never admit to telling you, but a lesson I want you to take and put right here," Vondum reached out and tenderly put his hand over Jamon's heart. "Long ago I was where you are now. I was an enforcer, beating and torturing kids a little older than I was to quite a bit younger than I was. I made the decision to do so out of concern for someone very close to me. Later, when I had the chance to regain a piece of who I was it was too late for me to do so."

Jamon looked down at the huge hand still resting on his chest and back into the man's eyes. For the first time since he had been handed over to Vondum he could not see any evil in the man's eyes. For the first time Jamon realized the man had a heart buried deep inside. "Why was it too late master?"

Vondum took in a huge breath and blinked his eyes to avoid showing a tear, "Because I had come to cherish the power, to feed off the screams, to enjoy what pain, both physical and mental, I could do to others. Worst of all, I began to thrive off of hearing others talk about my reputation as the meanest of the mean and I didn't want to give it up. It began to circle into tighter circles where fear gave me power and pain gave me fear and my reputation was kept solid because of fear. The screams were just a bonus."

Vondum pulled a stunned Jamon into him and gave the boy a hug. "Jamon, you are a lead slave. You have a job to do, but do not let what happened to me happen to you. The first day you enjoy hurting someone under you take your whip and smack your foot with it. Take a splinter and shove it under your fingernail. Or take a stick, still glowing from the fire and push it against your own skin. Do whatever it takes to remind yourself what you are doing to others and what it feels like. Keep what is here," Vondum again put his hand on Jamon's chest.

Vondum stood as he let go of Jamon, "Promise me, right now you will fight to keep a piece of goodness always lit inside you."

Jamon nodded, "I will master. I promise."

A bit of a smirk returned to his features, "This does not mean I want you to ease up on any of the slaves! You showed them all why you are the lead slave today and I am equally proud of you for this. Being able to push past your fear and disgust and do what needed to be done is what makes a real man."

"I understand Master."

Vondum again softened and ruffled Jamon's hair. "Good. Now let's get you tested so we can see where you are and what Kandric and I need to work with you on. They have an Animal Adept shop in Slome. What type of creature would you be interested in?"

Jamon could not believe how Vondum was treating him. He shrugged briefly, "I likes dogs and birds best sir."

Vondum seemed to smile slightly, "Let's see what the Guild thinks you can control then we will find you a good feathered or furry pet then."

Jamon walked the rest of the way in silence allowing Vondum's hand to rub his back. No longer was this as much of a challenge for somewhere deep inside the big man there was a dim glow of goodness.

Glaster

Glaster walked down the streets of the city alone as darkness fell. He wanted to clear his head. He needed to concentrate on helping Zoldon. The only problem was his thoughts kept spinning in circles. Prince Zoldon had died in his mother's arms. He had been buried in a royal ceremony attended by hundreds of nobles. His motionless body had been scanned for signs of life by a Mage before his mother let go of him, again as he was put into the glass coffin, and one last time before the coffin was secured in the crypt. The precautions were to insure the boy's death had been complete and that he would not return as an undead being haunting the royal tomb.

Yet, somehow, Zoldon survived, got placed into the hands of someone with the resources to keep his training on pace with that of his twin brother, and then pull off a switch right under the King's nose almost nine years later. The planning to pull off such an operation was beyond Glaster's comprehension. Every time he tried to piece together some way to pull it off he failed.

Frustration built as Glaster continued to wander the streets. He knew his thoughts should be on figuring out a way to find Prince Klandon. Unfortunately, the only way he could see to begin the search was to find the ship's captain who had treated the boy. For there was the only opportunity for the switch to occur. Finding the ship would take a stroke of pure luck, however. In Glaster's mind it would be like finding a specific twig in a huge lake months after tossing the twig in.

Truth of the matter was, Glaster expected the ship to be sunk in deep water somewhere. The being behind the planning of the overall plot was too intelligent to leave such a clue around for others to find should the plot start to unravel. This chain of thoughts only led him back to the last known point Zoldon's whereabouts had been known. The time the boy had supposedly perished in his mother's arms.

He kicked a rock in anger sending it skittering across the cobblestone street. His mind went back to the tearful mother, the mourning father, and the sullen faces of nobles kneeling before the king to offer condolences. Once again he dug deep into his memories trying to pick out anything he had missed, and again after careful examination he found nothing to indicate an alarm should have gone off.

There was no such thing as the perfect plan. The whole ploy had to roll on many small points just like a massive statue rolled on logs pulled by beasts of burden or men. All he had to do is find one of the rollers of the plan that was left behind and follow the trail from there. The large stones had already been destroyed. The Royal Healthman had been killed. Zoldon had been put through so many Memory and Forget spells it was hopeless to use him for information. The ship where the switch had been made was missing. The Princes' mother was dead and the King, blinded with grief and the fact affairs of the kingdom kept him away from his son, didn't know his own child well enough to see the switch.

Assassins had done a beautiful job of eliminating all those close to Prince Klandon while making it look like the Prince had been the target. All of Klandon's teachers, mentors, and servants had been executed with astonishing efficiency all while making it look like the Prince had been the lucky to escape with his young life. There was no one left who could see what had happened. The plan had been carried out flawlessly. One thing was sure, he would have to continue on as if he had Klandon with him until he found the first born Prince.

Glaster pressed his hands into his temples as his circling thoughts started over again. So absorbed in his own dilemma, Glaster tripped right over a beggar child who had come out of a side alley with a pouch held open hoping for a coin or bit of food.

Glaster tumbled to the ground, but even as he fell he was already rolling to stand back up. Before he knew what had happened he spun with his sword out and a spell ready.

The urchin saw the blade come out and let out a choked scream and huddled on the ground. Not looking up the youngster's panicked voice sounded muffled as it was directed at the ground. "No kills me! Me sorry!"

A well-dressed rider saw the event and reacted. Jumping off his Dragon Steed, the man closed the distance quickly. "Good sir, are you alright?"

Before Glaster could respond the tip of the man's whip whistled though the air and struck the huddled beggar on the side. The child screamed and writhed on the ground clutching the strip on his side where his poor clothing had been ripped and the welt left behind seeped a little blood.

A second snap of the whip caught the urchin in the leg as Glaster sheathed his sword in a single motion. Another scream echoed in the nearly empty street. Those who saw what was going on moved away. Those who stuck their nose out of their doors to see what the commotion was saw two men, clearly of great wealth, and a wailing kid dressed in nothing more than rags. Matters of class were not something anyone wanted to be in the middle of. Doors closed and a couple of kids who had ventured out to get a better view were quickly called back in.

Glaster shook his head as he allowed the combat spell to slip away unused, force wasted. "I will be fine. Thank you for your quick response."

The man readied the whip for another strike but held it waiting for Glaster's decision. "You are getting close to the squatter sections. You need to be careful in this area."

Glaster gave a slight nod which sent an unspoken message to the man to deliver one more and only one more crack of the whip against tender flesh. A third angry stripe become visible on the child's back as the thin cloth covering the area tore like paper. Glaster glanced down to see the youth gasping for breath needed to continue to scream before turning his full attention to the man. He gave a slight bow, "I am not normally one to be worried about where I walk. Your concern, however, is noted with gratitude."

The man coiled the whip and slipped it back onto his belt holder. "You sound of royal birth rank. Surely three strikes is too kind for such a transgression of one of such a low class."

"I was nothing more than a whipping boy for high royalty," Glaster grinned, "So the child has two things going for her. First I know from experience what a whip feels like and second I am nothing more than a Merchant Prince with low royal title. Besides, I was the one not watching where I was going."

Glaster paused as he realized the Dragon Steed had royal crests on the saddlebags, "It looks as if I should be the one deferring to you."

"No." the man stated firmly, "I am on business for the King, but am nothing more than a captain in the regional guard. I was sent here to deliver a firm notice to the local constable about matters similar to this. I am to conduct a closed hearing and pass judgement on all those involved. For it seems a pair of high birth rank children were improperly treated after an altercation with some local peasant youth."

Glaster's grin widened. "Indeed they were. As a matter of fact, the boys in question are my charges. I was told to expect someone quickly, but I did not expect such a rapid reaction. The password you need from me is stonewood. You will not ask for names and should you hear any you will forget them."

"Such are my orders!" The man stammered out in surprise as he knelt. "I was told to defer to you as if you were the lord in charge sir!"

Off in the side alley a man appeared with a club in his hand, "Ya lets da boy go!"

"Boy?" Glaster glanced down with renewed interest, "I actually thought he was a girl." The man in front of Glaster stayed on a knee while grabbing for a blade. His hand didn't even reach the hilt before a flash of brilliant white light leapt from Glaster's hand and flung the man with the club back into the alley. "Had I known this whelp was a boy I would have never allowed a third strike of a whip to hit his flesh."

Glaster quickly returned his attention back to the man with the whip. He motioned for the man to stand, ignoring the moans coming out of the alley. "Your actions up to this point show me you are exactly the type of man I wanted to be sent," Glaster turned away from the Captain for a split second reacting quickly as he saw the beggar child try to crawl off back into the alley. He stepped fairly hard on the urchin's hand; "Our business is not concluded quite yet brat! Stay!"

Glaster held up his hand to stop the man from uncoiling his whip. "Give this one a chance. I doubt his actions were taken out of disrespect. A whip across the back is probably more than he has ever had to endure in his young life and he simply wanted to get out of our way and check on who I can only guess is his father. Is this correct boy?"

The urchin let out another yelp as he felt the pressure on his hand increase; "Me'll no go nowhere! Please no kill me er Pa!"

Glaster nodded in satisfaction as he removed his foot from the boy's hand. "Do not move again boy. There will be no more free chances for you."

Glaster snickered as he saw the Captain glance down the alley. "Unless he landed on something back there he will live. I hit him with a low power spell. Now Captain, what I want is for you to hear the facts, talk to all those involved, all witnesses, and any other sources you deem to be useful. Once you have a good idea of what happened and why I will insist on you rendering a ruling on each and every one involved in the altercation without input from anyone including myself. I expect you to use the same calm levelheaded approach as you used on this street. I demand an independent and completely fair ruling on each person involved. Let the facts speak for themselves while keeping in mind that boys will be boys no matter what their social class is.

"Once this is complete your final task will be to review the magistrate's actions and make recommendations as to what actions, if any, need to be taken against him. Are there any questions?"

The captain shook his head, "None sir," he paused and looked around, "Well, one. Do you want me to stick around as you deal with this situation?"

Glaster's eyes gleamed, "Do you think I require assistance?"

"No, but some may be helpful, none the less."

"Good point," Glaster pointed to the urchin. "Pick him up and have him stand straight."

Glaster looked over the filthy child for a few minutes then cast a torch light spell to get a better view. The boy had potential; all he needed was a little sprucing up. He was thin; a little too thin to be really healthy, had jet black hair and gray eyes. The boy's long hair and graceful appearance gave him an almost feminine look. Glaster checked the whip marks then raised the boy's chin and pulled the kids lips open so he could look at the teeth. He frowned as he saw how poorly cared for the boy was. "How old are you?"

"Me'll be ten sir," the boy whimpered and squirmed as Glaster continued to inspect him.

"When?" Glaster asked while squeezing his chin so the boy would stop moving.

The urchin got the message and stopped trying to avoid Glaster's hands. "A moon er two, me think. Pa say me gets older 'bout dark moon after crop plantin' moon," the boy winced as Glaster's hand rubbed against the whip mark on his side.

Glaster healed the wound with another spell, making it powerful enough to completely heal all three of the whip strikes along with any bumps and bruises that go along with a boy of almost ten. "What is your name?"

"Perth," the boy stated with a sigh as all the pain in his body vanished.

Glaster stood and handed the captain a trio of electrum coins. "Get him some cotton clothing. Preferably light blue in color, then take him to the Babbling Brook Bathhouse. Get him and yourself cleaned up. Do not let them cut his hair, but make sure it is fully washed and evened out with a light trim. If he has not been circumcised get him so. There is a Healthman who works at the Babbling Brook who will do the work and check the boy over for lice or other problems. Even though I do not see any signs of such.

Make sure the circumcision is done close and well. I will heal him with another spell tomorrow, but he will be very tender even after I do so, so make sure you get a couple of very soft loin cloths for him. Then get a good meal in both of you in the inn across the street from the bathhouse. Get a good room and watch him tonight. I will meet you both tomorrow morning at first light."

The captain looked nervously at Glaster; "You cannot just take the boy sir, unless you are much higher royalty than you have implied."

Glaster winked, "I am not taking him, although I assure you I could. Instead I am going to make him and his father a deal they cannot refuse," Glaster knelt in front of Perth and looked deep into the boy's eyes. "You have a choice. Do you want to get punished further by a whip and watch what happens to you and your father when the city guards learn of his attack on a high merchant?"

Perth's eyes went very wide and he shook his head. He knew he would end up in the center of town in stocks for at least a day probably a great deal longer if the town guard was called in. He had often seen what happened to those in the stocks and had, on occasion, even taken a few minutes to torment them. The idea of that happening to him plus getting whipped more was not something he wanted to think about let alone go through. He started crying. "No, please, no!"

Glaster smiled, "Such a polite boy. Then do you want to go with the good captain here and do what I want when I collect you from him instead?"

Perth showed some raw intelligence as he frowned and wiped away the tears on his cheeks, obviously not liking such an open ended second choice. Still trying to fight back tears of fear, he looked up with a degree of hope. "Me no get whip and no put in town stock?"

"No stocks or whips shall touch your flesh here nor anywhere else as long as you continue to do what I want. You will be clothed as needed as well as properly feed, and taught, maybe even trained. We shall have to see what the gods have blessed you with."

Perth trembled, "What me do? When me done?" His voice already told both Glaster and the captain he had surrendered to Glaster, but wanted to know more.

Glaster's smile warmed considerably as he realized the boy was indeed clever. "You will be free from service to me upon your fifteenth year unless you decide to extend it. I will tell you no more."

Perth used his fingers to count. He lowered his head; "Me do whats ya wants fer five year?"

Glaster raised an eyebrow, "Yes, five years. Or shall I call the town guard?"

Perth fiercely shook his head, "OK, five year."

"Smart kid," the captain noted aloud while looking down the alley, "What about the father?"

"I will handle him. Just get Perth here taken care of," Glaster headed into the alley whistling cheerfully. He had a date tonight where he would hopefully be able to entice a boy and he now had a boy to fully enjoy as he wanted which would at least allow him spend less time focusing in on how cute the royal boys in his care were.

Glaster stood over the man he had downed with the Force Punch spell with a smirk, "If you reach for your club the next thing I will do to you will make the first spell I tossed at you feel like a feather rub."

Perth's father moved his hand away from the thick stick without saying a word.

"Maybe your son gets some of his common sense from you after all," Glaster remarked lightly. "Now let us see if he got the intelligence from you as well."

"Whats ya wants?"

"It is not a matter of what I want. It is simply a matter of how I go about getting it," Glaster paused to allow his words to sink in. When he was sure the guy grasped what he had said he continued. "Your son will be spending the next several years with me, the question is do I simply pay you a fee for this and you go your own way or do we have to fight over control of Perth. Before you decide you may wish to consider every type of fight possible to win him. Then decide what would give you any chance of victory."

The man pulled himself up but had to hold his ribs to ease the pain. "Ya can't takes 'im. Me ain't dumb!"

"True, I would have to get a local lord to grant him to me. To do this I would have to show he owes me or is orphaned, which he would be if you went to the dungeons for attacking a Merchant Prince. I could then bypass his mother, if there is one in the mix, gaining control of him for repayment of damages done to my person. This is made even easier since Perth has already agreed to transfer himself into my care. Any Mindmaster could verify this."

The man glared at Glaster as he thought it over. It didn't seem right that someone could take his eldest son from him. He knew he was nothing more than a beggar and the man facing him was a much higher caste. Yet the fact money, schooling, and born talent had graced the guy in front of him didn't make the situation any easier to swallow. He had to work hard to control his anger knowing it would not do him or any of his children any good if he exploded.

Glaster on the other hand, readied a spell. He had no qualms about killing the man where he stood if necessary. It would be better to pay the guy off, but the man had attempted to attack him. A mundane beggar raising a weapon to a guilded Merchant was infuriating. The man should be honored to be in the presence of anyone so much higher in caste! It was one thing to do business with beings of lower castes as equals, but to be attacked by one this lowly was ridiculous.

Perth's father's shoulders slumped as he looked over the man in front of him. He knew he had no chance against the man's money, fighting skill or magic. Perth had made a single mistake that would cost him his childhood.

Tears welled up in the man's eyes as he realized how much he would miss his son's giggles during the play wrestling before bed. He doubted he would ever fill the void which his small shack would certainly have. He had no clue what he would tell Perth's younger brothers or sister either. All four of them looked up to their older brother for guidance and help on a daily basis. Perth was more than his son. The boy was also his pride and joy. The man could almost feel his heart breaking as he whispered, "How ya put a cost to me boy?"

Glaster, for his part, at least saw and heard some of the pain in the man. With the indisputable evidence of the man's love for his son, Glaster let go of his distaste of the man. He softened considerably. "You are a good man, who wanted to protect his son. I can understand. I really can. I find it would be impossible to set a price on love, but Perth is going with me. What would be reasonable in your mind?"

The man sobbed. "Him can't be paid fer. Nothing' can replace what him do fer me and me younger uns. Me'll does work fer ya, pay ye backs wit sweat und blood!"

Glaster shook his head. He would not bend on keeping Perth. He needed the boy to take away the distraction of having to train and teach six very cute eight-year-old boys. Instead Glaster pushed aside the last of his anger toward the man which allowed his mind to formulate a good solution for both of them. "As I said, Perth is coming with me. This is not a negotiation point. However I think we can work something out that would help all of us."

Perth's father continued to have tears spill out of his eyes but he hardened slightly. "How ya takin' me boy gunna help him er me?"

"First off, Perth will end up a much higher caste than you could provide for. He will learn to read and write, he will lean how to handle considerable sums of money, keep books and if he can be guilded I will see to it. So do not look on this as all bad for him. Instead try to see this as him finding someone to apprentice out to. Such a chance is beyond rare for a beggar."

This calmed the man a great deal. He wiped the tears out of his eyes, "So ya pays me und teaches me boy? Me be missin' somethin'."

Glaster sighed, "He will work for his training, it will not be freely given, but he will receive the best schooling money can buy. However, it goes beyond my handing you some coins for your boy. I want to offer you a chance to better the lives of all of your family."

"This be some trick?"

"No trickery. I was going to offer you a flat fifty silver for your boy, but I can see you care about him. Such a thing is worthy of more. How many children do you have?"

The man frowned, "Four but ya ain't getting' no more!"

Glaster held up his hand. "I was not asking for that reason. Instead I was asking so I could figure out a way to ease some of your burden. What do you say I pay you seventy-five silver for Perth? Then, in exchange for services from you, I will pay a local school to teach all four of your other children for three years worth of classes. I will include enough to feed them a meal every day, to buy them acceptable clothing and supplies so they can learn the basics of reading, writing, math, history, and the beginnings of a trade craft. I looked at gaining a boy from the local school so I know they teach every child who goes there the basics of a trade. They will get a chance to work leather, the arts of a cobbler, to spin wool, or to make and fire pottery. Those who show real potential are given the chance to become a Fletcher, glass blower, stone cutter, or a few other trades that would make them skilled peasants at the very least. The day they turn eight you can send them to the school. This way all of your children will have a chance at breaking out of their caste. All told I will pay about 250 silver per child on this deal."

Perth's father's eyes narrowed, "Many a man would kill fer such a chance fer his young! What does ya wants from me?"

Glaster had to fight not to smile. He had set the hook the guy just didn't realize it. "It is a simple task. I need you to go into the refugee camp and find out what happened there to change the attitude of a boy in my care. He went in cocky, like he owned the world and it owed him a favor for him doing so. He came out and jumped right into the middle of a fight to help his cousin. I need someone of a lower caste, with intelligence, to go in there and find out who said what to him. See if anyone noticed changes in the boy and what may have caused them. It may be my only shot at helping him with nightmares he has every night."

"Whats if me no find nothin'?"

"Then I pay for two of your four to attend the school. You get to choose."

"Then what?"

"There is no more."

"Ya not wantin' nothin' else from me?"

"Your son is a high enough price. I could not ask more of you," Glaster lied, knowing he would love to find out if Perth had any younger brothers and wondered how cute they were.

The man chewed on his lip for a few minutes, "OK, Me'll does whats ya asks. Jus no be beatin' me boy fer no reason er nothin'!"

"I have no desire to punish any child, let alone do so for no reason. He will be well cared for, but discipline and complete obedience will be maintained."

"OK. Ya wins. Where me finds ya if'n me gets somethin' fer ya?"

"I will be here every evening for the next five days. You will either have the information I need by then or you will have to pick which two of your children will go to school. I will bring the silver tomorrow evening along with a paper turning Perth over to me so you can put your mark on it," Glaster didn't wait for a reply. He left the man alone in the alley as he made his way back into the merchant area of town. There was finally something to smile about. His bed would no longer have just himself in it at night.

Aster

Conner looked over at his brother, "Aster, are you sure you're OK with this?"

Aster sighed showing he was not as comfortable with it as he made his voice and words sound. "Yea. You stay with the Thunder Rapids and we will meet you down in Everone. Besides much of the trade good we had with us will now be in your hands to sell since we didn't start out with much in the way of perishables, and with what we have secured from the toll gate fort and village we are now full on them. Since you guys can't move yet we might as well grab all the captured food stuffs and make a run with them before they start to go bad.

Aster took a deep breath, "Conner, I know you aren't used to this, but I left you the prices we paid and what I thick would be a good selling price. One way or the other, though, you need to get rid of most of the stuff we were loaded with, since I am sure we will want to change out before heading down to Everone, and I'd sure like to be able to split some decent profits with you so you can have some coin too."

"I'll do what I can, but I ain't never done no merchant work before."

Pontarious snickered, "My crew will help you son," he handed a couple of potions to Aster, "A fire wall when you really need one lad. Just be careful, if it drops and breaks it will burst into flame."

"I'll make sure to keep it handy yet safe!"

"Good, and don't you worry none. I will watch over your goods and help your brother learn the arts of book keeping and trading, but I expect you to do the same for my son and Quavis."

Aster gave the barge captain a huge hug. "You can count on it Captain!" Aster looked down at his pets, "Shade, Dart, Frost, you are to help Quavis and Benem in any fight.

Dart jumped down from a nearby tree and landed on Quavis' saddle and wrapped its wings around the boy while Frost stood tall and walked up next to Benem's Dragon Steed. The huge white griffin then extend a wing protectively around Benem.

Pocet laughed, "I think your boys are in very good wings captain."

Pontarious smiled, yet had to wipe away a couple of tears, "You boys sure you want to travel over land?"

Benem nodded. "Yea dad. I have never done a real trip before on my own. I'll be fine. Aster will continue my Animal Adept training while Sardan and Segell will make sure I keep up with my book studies. This is no different than when we first took Quavis for a week."

"You are wrong, son." Sardan chirped out, "This trip has a great deal more danger potential then a trip down a river."

"Oh come on, guys. I may be a kid, but I really want to do this!"

"We know you do." Sagell stated, "But your father has valid concerns. This trip will be much longer than a week and there is little safe about it."

Quavis snorted, "The only reason you are heading overland is because the barge was attacked, Teacher. Nothing seems very safe any more."

Pontarious noticed Sardan and Segall exchange looks similar to those of a kid caught with a hand in a cookie jar. He laughed, "Don't you just hate when a kid takes your words and makes you eat them?"

Sagell lowered her head and snickered, "Captain, you have the last word on this. He is your son and Quavis is, by your own desire, your stepson. We are happy to have them travel with us if you will allow it."

Pontarious took a moment to pull both boys off their saddles and hug them. "I love you two. Take care of each other and stay in one piece so I can give each of you another one of these down in Everone."

Both boys agreed and accepted a kiss on the forehead from the Mystic before climbing back up to the Dragon Steeds.

Pontarious watched the two boys ride off next to Aster's wagon with the traveling forge. Once the whole group disappeared over the hill he finally went below to look for Conner. He found the young man working with the crew, using some rather unusual methods to help them patch the leaks. The lad had cast a wind wall through the biggest hole which prevented water from continuing to rush in. The Men of the Thunder Rapids had to fight the wind currents to slap on a patch, but the hull stayed dry and they could fully see the damage that needed patching.

"Interesting." Pontarious spoke up as he put his hand on Conner's shoulder. Have you considered joining a ship yard as a repair foreman?"

Conner grinned, "My teacher teaches all his student how ta use spells in ways outside the norm. Did you know you can cast a restrain spell on the ground around the meanest of thorn bushes so many people like to plant next to their homes to prevent thieves and it will give you something to climb up and get to the roof?"

Pontarious rubbed his chin to hide a smirk that held a mixture of humor and displeasure. "Um, no. Can't say I have thought of such a use for a restrain spell," he switched subjects. "Let the men use your spell and join me in my cabin. I think it is time to talk about something other than your teaching and your past."

Conner sighed, "I kind of wondered if you didn't allow Benam and Quavis to go with my brother so you could spend more time with me."

Pontarious held up his hands as if surrendering, "It was not my original plan, but when my son asked me about going with Sagell, I did see it as an opportunity."

Conner followed the captain to his quarters and sat down on his bed. He started to undress.

"What are you doing?"

Conner stopped, "Getting ready to go to bed with you. I know what you want, and I will give it to you because you care about me more than anyone I can ever remember. Maybe I can learn to love with you in ways I never have been able to before."

Pontarious crossed the room and knelt in front of Conner and tears welled up in his eyes. He looked over the boy and started to re-fasten the buttons on the boy's shirt. "No son. I do not want anything of the sort."

Conner froze. He watched in complete confusion as the man took a few minutes to fully re-dress him. His mind was now really spinning, "What then?"

Pontarious sat next to the boy and put his arm around him. "When was the last time someone did this with no price attached?"

"Aster", Conner answered instantly, "when we lived together in the orphanage. Right after he told me he was going to live in the forge and he would not be living with me any more."

"Why do you think he did it?"

"Because he was sorry I could not join him and he knew we would both miss each other." Conner paused and let out a deep sigh, "He was right too."

"OK, now tell me when the last adult to give you even a light hug was." Conner's thoughtful frown deepened for almost a fell three minutes. When he spoke it was with nothing more then a whisper. "With no price attached, was my step-dad. The day he took me to the orphanage he held me the whole way."

Pontarious pulled Conner a bit closer, "You said you were seven in human equivalent?"

"Yea."

Pontarious felt a cold shiver run up his spine, "And you are now twelve. Are you really telling me not adult has given you a hug just because you deserved one in over twelve years?"

"Closer to fifteen. Both Aster and I age more slowly than most Elves do. We think it has something to do with us both having Dark Forest Elf blood inside us. He doesn't look it now, but he tans like mad over the summer. But I don't get it. Why would I deserve a hug?"

Pontarious lightly kissed Conner on the side of his head as tears again spilled from the barge captain's eyes. He could tell, simply by the matter of fact tone the boy spoke in he was telling the truth. The world had indeed been very unfair to this lad. His mind, however, could not come up with anything to say. His heart, however, found words which seemed to fit. Words Pontarious knew he would have to work hard to get the boy next to him to believe. "Because you are a great kid."

Glaster

Glaster entered the Green Goblin late and looked around. For a moment he though his chance to get to know Jory had slipped through his fingers, but the boy saw him from a back table and waved him over.

A huge smile spread over Glaster's face as he made his way over to the boy and the man next to him. His smile faded away as he saw the look in both their eyes. "I am sorry I am late."

Jory got up, "Sir, I would like you to talk to Klent before we eat. Please listen to him then I will join you for dinner in about an hour or so."

A deep frown played across Glaster's face. But the fact the boy took a moment to lightly rub his shoulders gave him pause. Glaster watched the boy head over to the dartboard and put down some copper so he could hold a place. "OK, so what exactly is going on, umm, Klent?"

Klent could feel his knees shaking as he looked across the table at someone he knew to be a Master Echelon Shaman, "Yes master."

Glaster held up his hand, "Call me sir or commander. Do not use my rank."

Klent breathed a great deal easier. "I am glad you already know you are in danger."

Glaster felt his pulse quicken. He spun to survey the room.

"Not right now sir." Klent whispered.

Felling silly Glaster turned back to face the man, "What type of danger do you refer to then?"

Klent took a deep breath. "I need to give you some background information first, if you will allow me to."

Glaster took a moment to slip into the spirit realm to make sure there were no infiltrators or ears he couldn't see from the mortal realms before he nodded, "Fine. You seem to be holding all the cards at the moment."

"Not really." Klent stated without hesitation. "This is all stuff I have stumbled across over the past couple of weeks. Seeing you, I think I know why I was asked to come down to Everone by the gods, though."

This really caught Glaster's interest, "The gods you say?"

"Lunara and Syria would be my guess. Although I feel they my have tricked me just so I could meet you."

Glaster lifted his hand to stop Klent and to summon a barmaid. When the woman appeared he tossed her a gold coin. "Two pitcher sized mugs of your best Dwarven Brew and to keep the tables around us clear so we can make this business deal without hearing drunken idiots around us. You do a good enough job and there will be another just like it after we finish."

The woman reacted instantly to put chairs up on all three surrounding tables before running to get the drinks.

"Once we both have a brew in front of us to calm our nerves I will be more than happy to listen for as long as you care to speak."

Klent waited and took a healthy gulp of the thick rich brew before he started from the beginning, or at least what he thought may have been the beginning of his sudden and unexpected trip to head down to Everone. He told Glaster of the day the Hawkling from the Junsac Watch next to destroyed the Ghoul Drool and how he had briefly befriended a very cute boy. Then only days later the strange dream in the middle of the storm followed by the complete rout of Gambra's forces attempting to take the caravan.

He went on to explain how he used failure and the death of so many to build his own small mercenary group for the purpose of helping the boy he had fallen in love with over the course of a few hours of throwing daggers. Klent took another sip, "Then today we pulled in here and I ran right into you and the boy. It was then I knew I had to talk to you."

"The boy? What boy?"

"The boy Gambra had paid well over 100 beings 50 silver each to grab."

Glaster shook his head, "I am sorry, my caravan never went though such a fight. You must have the wrong person."

"Do I?" Klent shook his head and slid the picture across to Glaster, "I don't think so sir."

Glaster took one look at it and felt blood run out of his face. It was in color, probably magically created, and there was no question he was looking at the Prince.

Klent didn't wait for Glaster to recover. "Some of those I hired were part of the raid, sir. They each got one of those. I got it from my second. He said those who died in the failed attack or dropped unconscious caused his or her painting of the boy burst into flame. Many others burned theirs when they got back to the Drool."

Glaster glared at Klent, "How could you travel with such men?"

"I was told to find my kind of people. Those who are with me are. We are all Lockmasters or Sect Warriors, even Jory. I figured the gods had opened the door for me to recruit them by killing off the worst while leaving me the desperate and those who only saw easy money. Lidevar, my second, is a good man who was working for a couple of real cutthroats who paid well. The others are younger and even less experienced, although after everything I heard and saw after they come into the Drool, they learned a lifetime in just over an hour of their lives.

"I talked to all of them after Jory got tested, and to a man, they all agreed I should come see you. Lidevar even recommended I offer to let them all face a Mind Master scan as to their desire to see Gambra fail in grabbing your charge."

Glaster leaned back in his chair, "You say you are looking for work?"

"Yes sir."

"I will make you a deal."

"Listening."

Glaster grinned, "I will hire your group to help protect the caravan and the boys in it once all of your men pass a Mind Master scan from my Mind Master. Any who fail, however, I will kill on the spot with no mercy."

Klent nodded slowly, "Anyone who would hand a boy over to Gambra deserves no less. Should one of them have such thoughts I will hold him while you stick the dagger in his heart."

"Then I think we have a deal. We will work out payment amounts once all of your troop has passed my Mind Master's scan."

Klent took in a deep breath of air; "This was a great deal more pleasant than I thought it would be."

Glaster grinned, "You and I had the same dream, only a different boy."

Klent brightened, "So do you think I will find the lad I came all this way for down in Everone?"

"To be honest, I have no clue. But with any luck, we will both find our boys safe and sound. Now why not invite Jory back over here so we can have a good meal."

"He likes to be paid for his services." Klent stated bluntly. "But he is very good in bed and will do whatever you want except allow you to torture him with anything capable of leaving permanent marks."

"Then his pouch will be heavier in the morning," Glaster signed with a growing lump in his loincloth.

Kandric

Saslara looked at Kandric as the two pulled back from Bloody Rock and hooked back up with Rylop. "I think you are wrong. Those Dragonlings were just a fluke. All we saw was a couple of Hobs down in the lowest mine shaft. I don't see any reason why we couldn't bring the kids in and let them get some combat."

Rylop sighed, "Good. I have never seen a live Dragonling before let alone fought one."

Kandric wanted to tell them about what he knew. He also wanted to go find Vondum, and even Monarch. But to tell someone about Monarch's enemy Bandurlok, would be giving too much information out about what was gong on, and he wanted the Swamp Slums to have a trading fortress with his name on the ownership papers.

Kandric even saw how he might be able to move his newly created business with the kids in the jail into the center stockade to make even more money. "Yea, maybe your right, but I still do not like the feel of this. Maybe we should at least wait till first light then take another look."

"You'll have your force back by the time we get down there cause the moon will be up before we can hit them and we have to go underground so day or night makes no difference. So why wait?" Saslara argued.

Kandric struggled to come up with a good reason, "Because they could all use a rest and if we wait till morning we can see if there are any new guards out."

"My students have been resting for a couple of hours now at a cold camp and I don't like the idea of them staying in a cold camp all night being as cold as it still is. Those kids need a fire and warm food. Besides if the Hobs find dead bodies out there they will beef up their defenses. Remember, you may be a teacher, but they are my students. Unless you have a better reason I say we hit the Hobs now!"

Kandric almost told the woman about Bandurlok, but stopped. The new fortress in the Swamp Slums was just too important to him to possibly make Monarch think of withdrawing the offer. He was an Illorc after all and they had been the ones behind the attack on Jamon and Conth's caravan. There was no way Kandric could ever completely trust the beast.

"You are the boss Teacher Saslara. How do you want to do this? I have never worked with a group of students on something like this before."

Saslara grinned as she saw a glimpse of boy still inside of Kandric. "I will take the lead. You and Zeltoss watch the middle and move up to support as necessary, but I still want Zeltoss getting some hard combat in. I really want to see what your time spent with him and the other did for all of them. Finally Rylop and Londow can stay in the rear in case we need to pull out."

Kandric felt a bit better knowing someone was going to hold the back and provide for an escape. He hoped it would be enough, but deep inside he kind of doubted it.

He hung back with Zeltoss as Saslara gathered up the students. Still he listened as Saslara outlined the plan of attack and finally admitted to all of the students Zeltoss was not a Swordsman, but instead a fully trained Mystic who would stick with Kandric and provide help if anyone got in over their heads.

Saslara then turned to look harshly over the assembled students, "You have all gotten to know this Kandric as a teacher, but understand that he is somewhat against us going in there. He will not be able to do some of the Shaman stuff he normally would because the iron inside Bloody Rock bothers his Elvish blood when he is in the spirit realm, so he could not scout out as much as he would have liked.

"Because of this I am going to have our School Healthman stay here in case you get injured and need to fall back. This is not permission to run from a fight, this is only a fallback camp.

"Furthermore, he has expressed some doubt as to all of your abilities to do the job at hand. Do me a huge favor and show him his fears are unfounded and show me the desire to be real Swordsmen. But if he turns out to be correct, fall back. If I fall Kandric is in command, and if both of us fall the command switches to Rylop, then Londow and finally Zeltoss. If separated in any fight those are your leaders and you do what they tell you no matter what. Anyone who does not do so I will personally lock in the Slome stocks for no less then three days. Is this understood?"

All of the students exchanged looks before nodding.

Saslara then turned to Kandric. "Is there anything you wish to add?"

Kandric took a deep breath, "Yes," he stepped forward. "What Teacher Saslara told you is correct. Do not take this to mean I do not trust you. Look around and see your fellow friends and students and remember in any fight you go into with those around you your life rests in their hands and their lives rest in yours. Strive to not let anyone around you down."

Kandric then turned to Saslara, "One question for you Teacher. If they become separated and surrounded what are your views on surrender."

Saslara nodded and stepped up again, "Excellent question Teacher Kandric." She made sure all of her students were looking at her before she let out a deep breath that could be seen in the cold evening air. "Hobs will take captives most of the time. If you drop your weapons and hold up your hands there is a better than even chance they will not kill you. However, this means they will be taking you as a captive and there is no telling what will happen then, but chances are they will keep you as a slave.

"The choice to surrender is yours and yours alone. If we think any student has been captured we will try to get you back, but there are no guarantees. If you drop your weapon you better be prepared to be a slave, but at least you will be alive."

Saslara then smiled, "But it will be us taking the captives this night!"

The class let out a huge cheer as they grabbed their gear and followed Saslara toward Bloody Rock.

Kandric looked over at Zeltoss, "Keep close and remember there is raw iron everywhere. Do not scratch no matter how bad you may want to. Both of us, along with a couple of the other Elves will be taking a very cold swim in the stream the second we get out of there. If we happen to penetrate deep in the hillside and find a stream take the few minutes to wash right there."

"OK, any other advice?"

"Yea," Kandric muttered, "Be ready for the fight of your life."

Zeltoss frowned, "I don't get it. You talked about taking on a Dragonling like I would talk about squashing a Death Ant, but you really seem worried about this."

"I am," Kandric stated as he moved out to keep pace with the students.

As the dark shape of Bloody Rock took shape in the late evening gloom, Londow moved up, "Kandric, I ain't know ya long, but ya look out of sorts. Ya may not agree with Teacher Saslara, but every student out here be looking to ya fer strength and support. They see ya as one of their teachers, and you ain't givin' em hope."

Kandric chewed on his lip, "I'm not used to anyone looking my way for much of anything."

"We do." Londow stated. "Even Rylop and me. Yer our spell support and a teacher ta boot. Ya got ta snap out of this and perk up these kids before they start wonderin' 'bout what's gunna happen!"

Kandric glanced at Zeltoss and got a nod. He sighed. "Like what?"

"Be a teacher, just like you were in the pit with us." Zeltoss replied before Londow could answer.

Kandric nodded. "You are right," he quickly cast the last of his excess force, first on his scraped elbow then made the rounds to take care of anyone who had a bump or bruise. He wanted everyone as healthy as possible. He used this as an excuse to adjust a few packs, make sure arrows and bolts could easily be reached, and backup weapons were not too difficult to grab. Only a few minutes passed before the moon came up and he felt his force replenish. He signed audibly as he checked those right behind Saslara.

Saslara smiled as Kandric made his way up to her. "Nice way of letting all of them know you ain't abandoned us. That sort of attitude is one you can't allow as a teacher."

"Thank Londow. I did not realize I could have an effect one way or the other."

"Kandric, most of those kids behind me may be older than you, at least in Human Equivalent years, but only half of them have seen real combat, and those who have helped me raid a tiny Kobald camp Rylop and Londow found before all the trouble started. Every one of them fears a single Hob. Their fear ain't bein' helped when the most powerful spell caster they have ever seen acts like the world is about to fall out from under him. A teacher rubs off on students regardless of whether he wants to or not. You ain't a kid to anyone here even if you want to be one and throw a temper tantrum like a spoiled brat."

Kandric cringed under the words. "Have I really been that bad?"

"Yea." Saslara snickered, "you have."

Kandric's shoulders slumped some. "My Teacher would kick my butt if he heard about this."

"Then maybe you ought to think about what you sound like when you tell others it is no big deal when you single handedly take out a Dragonling and a Demon. Bragging is really quite stupid when you are this damned good. Then, to turn around and pout when I overruled you, was really pathetic.

"I know you are still a kid, but if you need to be a kid take Zeltoss and go fishing or find some hot springs and go for a swim. Get in a snowball fight while dropping your inner magic so you can have fun on equal terms with kids you age. Just don't pull what you did earlier today. I seriously thought about slapping your face in front of all of these kids."

Kandric gulped, "Maybe you should have."

Saslara snickered, "Don't do it again or I just might." She paused and patted Kandric on the back. "You have to be careful son. Every kid your age needs to be put in his or her place now and again. Normally this is not a big deal because there are parents, teachers and even an old guy walking down the street with a cane who can put them in line. However, there are not many who can do the same for you unless you give them the power to do so. Maybe you should consider finding a few older adults you do trust who you do give such power to."

Kandric felt like a kid being sent to his room. As he looked back over the last few weeks he realized everything the woman said was true. He was becoming more like the people he didn't like and less like the people he did. He wondered what Master Lannet down at Protector's Keep would think. He half winced knowing the Master Echelon Dwarf's cane would probably have been used on his backside by now. "You are right, but I do not relish the idea of what they would have done to me by now."

"My point exactly," the woman smiled for a moment only to fade quickly. She pointed to a flickering light coming from a cave next to the mine they were planned to attack. "Did you see that cave earlier?"

Kandric's brow wrinkled. "No. I doubt we would see it now if something had not built a fire so close to the mouth. Do you want me to check it out?"

"NO!" Saslara hissed, "There you go again. This is not about you or what you can do."

Kandric held up his hands, "I just do not want one of your students hurt."

Saslara frowned, "Kandric, if there is nothing but a group of Hobs in there then the two of us could have probably cleared it out earlier today. A couple of them are going to get hurt, one or two may even die. But you have to give them a chance to learn and you have to stop showing off. There is no need!"

Kandric stood motionless for a few minutes as this information sunk in. It never occurred to him what simply asking to check something like a campfire might appear to those around him. He really was being a "glory hound" as Glaster used to call people who acted like he was. Yet he didn't even realize it. "I am sorry," Kandric said sincerely. "I just get so eager 3;"

"That you step on those around you without even knowing you are doing it." Saslara finished the statement for him as she took a knee. "Are you willing to learn some teaching tactics from me?"

Kandric knelt next to her, "Absolutely. I suck at this."

"No, you really don't son. You did great with the kids in the combat pit. But there you were actually doing something. You are a very hands-on want-to-keep-busy type of kid which is great, but sometimes you have to give orders, sit back, and watch."

"Show me please," Kandric whispered in almost a begging tone.

Saslara patted Kandric on the back then turned around, "Zeltoss you're now a squad leader, pick four others; tell us what is in the cave. If it is only a few Hobs, take them out!"

Kandric watched nervously as his friend quickly selected four of the younger kids, only one of which was a training step five. The others were only step fours. Kandric frowned, knowing he would have picked better kids, but a squeeze on his shoulder for Saslara reminded him to keep his mouth shut.

The team of five moved up the hill and moved toward the small boulder blocking full view of the cave from prying eyes.

Saslara then formed another team, this one led by Londow, to move up to the mouth of the mine shaft in case any sounds alerted guards deeper inside of Bloody Rock.

Finally she had the rest find cover and pull out bows and slings to support one or both groups as needed.

Sounds of fighting suddenly erupted from the upper cave where Zeltoss had gone. Kandric stood only to be yanked back down by Saslara. "You are a teacher not a babysitter Kandric. None of these kids will learn squat if you come charging to their rescue at the first sound of metal on metal!"

Kandric clenched his fists as he nervously looked up the hill. Only about two minutes passed before two of the students came down carrying a third followed by two others.

He and Saslara quickly moved up to take a look at the injury. Zeltoss hung his head as Saslara pushed the crossbow bolt through the Dwarven girl's leg, snapped the head, then pulled out the shaft, "We thought there was only three of them, but there was another behind some other rocks. He waited until we took down all three before he fired at us."

Saslara took the report in stride. "Did he get away?" The Dwarven girl managed to speak through teeth tightly locked around the stick Saslara had given her to bite on, "Nope. Zeltoss took him down with a mace shot to the back of the head. There be a passage up there goin' down though. The Hob was tryin' ta get to it when Zel's mace popped out one a its eyes."

Kandric raised an eyebrow as Saslara put some star clover on the wound and bandaged it up, "I had no idea you were a Healthwoman."

"Only a Primary step four. I started leaning just before I made Teacher, when I realized I may need the skills if I wanted to open my own school, and since my dream was to have my own school, well I spent a year in the Silverton guard in exchange for Healthman training."

She looked up at Zeltoss, "Nice work. Four of them dead and only one of us lightly wounded. Nice first action as a squad leader kiddo."

The Dwarf bit down on the stick again, "This is light?"

Saslara patted the girl on the shoulder. "Can you stand and fight if you had to?"

"Yea."

Kandric couldn't help himself; he chuckled having had almost the exact same conversation with Glaster after his first real combat wound. "Then it is a light wound."

Saslara grinned, "You got the speech too huh?"

"Yes ma'am, I did."

Zeltoss looked more than a little confused, "You aren't mad at me? I blew it!"

"No you didn't son." Saslara stated seriously. "You lead a group into battle and did extremely well. Eight of us could have gone in there and the same thing would have probably happened. Did you learn anything?"

"Sure did. I need to fully secure the area before I let my guard down."

"Good observation." Saslara glanced back up toward the small cave and looked around again. "Londow, I am going to change things a bit. I would like you to take Betha, here and start us forward staging base up there. We will take the wounded there first. Zeltoss, you keep your squad and grab a replacement plus four others, I want you to go back up there and head in the way you saw the hob going. Kandric I want you with him, but remember what we were talking about.

"I will," Kandric promised, but his heart really raced as he realized splitting the forces would weaken them if, or more likely when, they met Bandurlok's main troops. One way or another this was shaping up to be very long night.

NEXT PART