Part II Ch. 2 Restless

Restless

Isibeal looked around in fear. This wasn't right, where was the forest she knew? Where was the village, her friends, where was her family? Where was her father, he should be running up to chase all the bad away! But, all she saw around her was a twisted, mean looking forest, full of thorns and thistles, briar patches and twisted, ugly, almost menacing looking trees. Isibeal felt like the forest itself was after her, and no matter how fast or what direction she ran in, that deep, dark evil laugh pursued her.
“Daddy!” She cried out, but noone answered, none but that evil laugh. She ran and she ran, there was a clearing ahead, perhaps it was the end of the dark forest she had somehow stumbled into?
She ran headlong into the clearing, and then stopped short in fear. This was no peaceful clearing, and certainly not the end of the forest. And, there, in the center, she didnt know what she saw, but she knew she didn't like it.
“Where is Papa!?” she cried aloud, only causing the laughter to begin again, that deep, bone chilling, frightening laugh.
“Papa can't help you now little one, Papa cannot follow you here. “
Isibeal tried to run, but found that thorny vines had entangled her feet, she could not move. She didn't understand, where was she, how had she gotten here? last she remembered, she and the other younglings of the village had been playing in a forest clearing near the village, and she had layed down in one of her favorite spots for a nap...and had woken up in this evil forest. Surely the others would notice she was missing, Papa or Crimthann or one of her brothers would be searching, they would be here soon. She sat down defiantly, she wasn't going to be afraid, Papa must be nearby, he would chase this badness away.
The laugh again “Papa isn't coming child, he can't help you, but....you can help him, save his life perhaps...”
Papa? Save Papa? Nothing could hurt him, nothing could even scare him
“He goes to his death, you see little one, your Papa is trying to fight me. Oh yes, yes little one, he has been fighting me for a long time now. Yes, yes, your hopes are rising, perhaps this will cheer you up more?”
Where the red eyes had been in the middle of the clearing turned into a hazy cloud, and then appeared almost as a clear, round puddle. Isibeal saw her father and mother, brothers, Crimthann, her uncle Alsandair, and some others she didn't recognize, surrounded on all sides, fighting for their very lives against horde after horde of creatures she had never seen before, all with the same menacing, glowing red eyes she had grown to hate from her dreams. Then, as she watched, one by one, they fell, she broke into tears as her dear Papa, standing to the last, was cut down
“PAPA!!” she screamed through her tears. She wouldn't believe it, Papa couldnt fall, they couldn't die, she fell to her knees, shaking with sob after sob
“Poor, poor child, I didn't want to show you that, but, you must know, if your father continues to fight me, he and all who fight with him...will die” The voice...though still dark and cold...seemed almost...kind, in a dark, menacing way. She didn't understand
“Why? Why must you kill them? Why does he fight you? If Papa fights you, you must be bad, Papa only fights bad things!”
“Child, dear child, you can save them all, your Papa won't have to fight me anymore, you can save your precious family. It's really....quite simple” the voice spoke softly, yet coldly.
“Wha- what do you mean? I'm a youngling! And why would you help me. I know what you are, Papa and the others have told me of you, I've seen you in my nightmares.”
“Child, they lie to you! I am not evil, I seek merely to bring peace to the world, but your friends insist on battling me, dear child, I don't wish to fight, but, I must protect myself. Now, all I ask, my simple request, is you serve me, help me, and I shall spare your Papa..he won't have to die”
Isibeal jumped as, from the edge of the clearing, a large figure ran towards her, clad in silver armor, the silver eye of the Source emblazoned on his breastplate, shield, and helmet, and the largest sword she had ever seen in his right hand. This was not Papa, but, she knew him, and she ran to him.
“You will not have her!” The man called in a booming voice
“You cannot interfere here!”
“I Am”
“She is mine!” The dark voice hissed, and where the red eyes had been, a dark, menacing cloud began to grow and float towards them.
Isibeal watched as her rescuer began to chant and pray in the most beautiful language she had ever heard before. From the dark mist, a large figure ran towards them, clad in dark red, shiny armor, nothing showing from his helmet but glowing red eyes
“Go child, you are safe, he cannot touch you!”
Isibeal rose and walked towards the edge of the clearing, in the direction her friend had pointed. She looked back to see the two locked in battle, and then she ran down the path.

Isibeal awoke with a start, her father, Crimthann, and Anshelm standing over her. She looked around, she was in the Shrine to the Source, what were all the clerics praying about? Why was she here? Then she realized...it had all been a dream, a nightmare. She wrapped her arms around Detric, she knew her Papa would save her.
Anshelm turned to the gathered clerics “Brothers, the evil has released its grip on the child, but remain alert, it will return, this evil is determined, we must prepare ourselves for a war of the soul and mind”
Detric strode from the temple, his daughter clinging to his neck, Crimthann not far behind, to Jaci, Aedan and Artegal outside.
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Aedan prepared for sleep, and thought about the events of the day. His father and Crimthann both seemed to react oddly to his little sisters recount of her dream..or..vision? They had hid it well, but when she recounted the Silver knight, they had both shared an odd look. He didn't share that he to had seen the same figure. His dreams were different, entirely different, but...could there be a connection? He wondered about it as he drifted off to sleep
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“Where is he? Aedan! Why don't you come?” The voice drifted in and out of his head. Who was this girl calling to him? Where was he to go?
“I'm right here” He answered “Who are you?”
The girl continued to look around, continued to wander about, confused. as the dream kept coming back night after night, he began to understand her surroundings a bit better. Each time, she was running down a hallway, a stone hallway, each time looking over her shoulder in fear. What was chasing her? Why was she in his dreams, what did all this mean?
“Gabriella, I am here!” Gabriella, who was that? The girl? how did he know her name, and why could he hear her, but she didn't seem to hear him?
“She cannot hear you son, you are not there, but you must go” The same silver knight stood before him, the fainting vision of the girl now gone. He found himself standing in a peaceful clearing, possible the most beautiful he had ever been in.
“Go where?”
“Head north, you will know as you go, you must find Gabriella”
“But where...where is she?
“North”

At that, he awoke. It was still night, but Aedan found himself wide awake. He couldn't shake the feeling that he must go...now. He packed his gear and weapons, and began to walk north from the village. He hadn't gone far when he heard someone approaching behind him
“You didn't think you could go off on an adventure without your brother did you?”
“Artegal...”
“Brother, you aren't the only one who gets odd visions...so, north right?
“Then..you've seen her to?”
“Her? no..Ive seen you going north and getting into all kinds of fun, why..her? thats what this is all about, you dreaming of some girl? Dad would be proud”
“Shutup little brother, if you're going to follow me”
“Little brother? just because you were born a moment sooner-”
“Makes you my little brother, now, shall we, or are you going back to bed? It is past your bedtime after all”

Crimthann watched the twins bicker their way north, and prayed to the Source to protect them. He wanted to go with them, but...they must do this alone, for now at least. Crimthann went back to sleep, he would need all the rest he could get to stop Detric from tearing off after his boys.

Part II Ch. 1 Evil Revived

Isibeal and the other younglings of the village sat enthralled as Crimthann told tales of his and Detric's adventures. They always loved it when Crimthann stopped by to tell them stories, he was afterall perhaps the best in the land at sharing a good tale. He was just finishing the story of how they had saved the world from the evil forces of Emil, and she always noticed that above all other stories, Crimthann was always most moved by this one, even though this story occurred over a hundred seasons ago, Isibeal always wanted to cry with him when he told of Conall's great sacrifice for her father. She stood as he cleared his throat, as if to catch a small sob, walked to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Crimthann, surprised at first, welcomed the younglings hug.
“She may be only 20 seasons old my friend, but she is already perceptive and kind as her mother”
The hafling laughed, and turned to see Detric standing there, his two twin sons behind him, looking more like their father everyday.
“Where is my Jaci, been off wandering the woods for days with these two, who, it seems, payed to close attention to your pranks Crimthann, I need some sanity”
“She, last I saw, was -”
Crimthann stopped short as a jet black panther bowled him over, Jaci following closely behind, laughing
“You come back from wandering in the forest with our son's, and the first person you stop to see is Crimthann? Well, are my boys succesfully full grown now? I see you brought them both back alive..”
“Yes, they passed all the tests easily, and a bonus to boot, an orc raiding party in the western wilderness tried to sneak past one of our patrols, Aedan, Artegal and myself helped dispatch them. Nothing too exciting, but my Jaci, it would seem our boys have grown up”
The day continued on, with celebrations welcoming the two newest adult members of the village lasting into the night.
It seemed Detric and Jaci had just fallen asleep when young Isibeal's screams awoke them.
“Red eyes! Everything had red eyes! Everything was chasing me!”
“Just a dream child, merely a nightmare, perhaps Crimthann's story scared you a bit?”
“No...no it was real...it was real!”
Detric wrapped his shaking daughter in his arms and held her till she fell back asleep, and soon fell asleep himself, sitting on the floor against her bed...but it was not a restful sleep.

All in the clearing was as in the past he thought vanquished, the twisted trees, the thorns and briar patches, and the red eyes floating in the middle.
“So” the same dark, twisted voice spoke “You seem surprised my old friend”
“We....we killed you many seasons ago!”
The laugh that followed was an even darker laugh than Detric remembered, and seemed to cut into his very soul
“Kill me? No...no, you killed my vessel, and weakened me perhaps, but killed me? Did you truly think I could be done away with that easily? Remember my promise to you, if you fought me? Do you remember?”
Detric remembered all to well, and was shaking now, though not in fear, but in rage,
“Source help me, you shall not touch my family, and if you should think to try, by the will of the Source I will destroy you, I will tear every vessel you see fit to send at me to bits until you no longer have the strength to torment this world”
“My friend, many have sworn that, all have failed, why not simply do my simple request, simply give in? Why fight, if you cease to fight me, your family will be saved!”
“I would sooner trust the word of a drow than you, and would never give in to you, I serve one greater than you, one who need not threaten his followers for their devotion. The Source wills it, begone!”
Detric awoke with a start, it was light out, but he felt as if he had not slept at all. Jaci came in and took the soundly sleeping Isibeal from his arms, and suddenly looked concerned, she had not seen that look of rage and determination in her Detrics eyes in many seasons.
Detric told her of his dream, and then, “We must speak to the elders, Emil was not the source of the evil, merely a vessel, and..the old evil has been revived”

Ch. 11 Great Sacrifice

As they traveled into the tunnel after Emil, Conall and Detric fell back some from the group, not wanting the others to overhear there conversation. Neither knew that Alsandair and Crimthann already had some idea what the future held, and understood what was happening.
“Detric, I know what it is you think you must do, and I beg you, there is another way”
“There is no other way, the Source wills it, so it must be.”
“But must it be you? Allow me to take this burden from you! You have a future, a life ahead of you!”
“That, my friend, is what makes it what it is. I do not relish it, I merely accept it”

Jaci looked back and wondered what had Detric and Conall so deep in conversation, it appeared they were almost arguing over some matter. She attempted to drop back to overhear what they were discussing, but Crimthann and Alsandair urged her along. Whatever was going on, none wanted her to know, which only worried her more. Detric had become much more solemn of late, he attempted to hide it, but she had sensed it.

Alsandair hoped Conall could talk sense into Detric, if what he had heard Conall praying about was correct. He could not live with himself if Detric did not come out of this coming fight alive, he would not allow that to happen, no matter the cost, Detric must live.

Crimthann busied himself checking for traps and hidden passageways, not wanting to think about what he had overheard or the conversation going on behind him, hoping the Source would reveal another way....there must be another way!

They approached a wall with a door in the center, quite similar in appearance to the door in the middle tunnel when they had first started. Crimthann checked it over for traps, and found it to be safe, swung it open, revealing a large cavern, or more of a room, furnished with a few chairs and a table in the center, several rugs and tapestries, and bookshelves lining the wall. Icons and statues adorned several of the shelves, as well as the table, and they all seemed to emanate sheer evil. No doubt this was Emil's lair, and Crimthann was rather surprised they had gained entry so easily. immediately he went on guard for any sort of hidden traps and other nasty surprises...but something was wrong, this was to easy....something was horribly wrong.

From another room attached to the central room, a familiar dark figure walked towards them, eyes blood red, cloaked in a dark red robe. But it was not Emil, all somehow knew this.

“We knew you would come, we have been waiting”
A dark, deep, guttural voice spoke to them. The very sound seemed to bring a chill over them, as if evil itself was in the room with them.

Conall and Detric stepped ahead of the rest of the group, this would be a battle of faith and will. Suddenly, a dark, creeping mist began to flow outward from the red cleric, seeming to envelope the room in darkness. Crimthann, Alsandair, and Jaci could no longer see their two friends, or the enemy, they could barely see each other.

Detric and Conall both began to pray to the Source for clear vision, and the mist seemed to fade away, at least it no longer seemed to affect their sight.
Conall began to pray to the Source to strike their enemy for his evil, and it seemed to be working, as the red cleric stumbled back. Although it was a hard blow, he still stood.

Jaci and the others could not see the battle, but they could hear different events, Detric and Conall chanting and praying here and there, and the evil cleric doing the same. Every time the evil cleric spoke or prayed, it sent a cold chill up each of their spines, as if a surge of evil was flowing past them into the room. It seemed to last forever to Jaci, and she was growing frustrated that she couldn't help. Finally, the mist began to clear, and, though there was still a dark and evil feeling about the room, it's presence was weakened, and they soon saw why. Detric and Conall were standing over the corpse of their enemy, Conall's sword through it's chest and his foot on it's throat. It seemed at some point the battle had turned from one of faith and will to one of sword and shield. Jaci rushed over to Detric, his arm and side bleeding from the battle, and Conall, though looking somewhat tired, appeared untouched, other than a small scratch on an unprotected portion of his throat from an attack that struck a little closer than he would have liked.

Jaci knew some healing power, and Detric's wound soon healed, it was not a deep wound to begin with, and they were soon ready to continue on, unsure how far ahead of them Emil was after the last delay. They searched the room before continuing, and finding nothing of interest, moved on.

It seemed this tunnel was full of rooms here and there, some well furnished, some nothing more than closets carved from the tunnel walls. It seemed pretty certain they had found Emil's lair, but searching every room could take forever, and they didn't even know if he was still here or not, Conall and Detric could not sense him directly, but they could sense the distinct feel of evil all around them, and it made the entire group, especially Jasmine and Cahan, uneasy.

Then, as they neared one of the doors, Conall and Detric both stopped
“He is here, waiting” Conall spoke
Detric nodded
“We may be able to defeat him, together, we may be able to avoid your plan Detric”
“What plan?” Jaci asked
“Yes, but we do not know that. He has overpowered some of the most powerful clerics in Sylvian forest, my plan guarantees his end”
“What plan?”
“But at what cost my friend? I demand we avoid that plan until it is our last resort”
“What plan?!”
“Very well, may the Source be with us, but should he begin to overpower us, it must be done”
“What must be done?!” Jaci was getting angry that they were ignoring her
Without bothering to answer her, Detric and Conall flung open the double doors leading to the room, and without even waiting to see what was inside, having already seen it in their souls, Detric began playing his pipes and Conall began to chant a prayer, and they advanced on a cloaked figure waiting for them in the center of the room.
Alsandair launched an arrow, but Emil easily stepped aside, ignoring the presence of Alsandair, Crimthann and Jaci, focusing on Detric and Conall.
Emil was obviously unsettled by Detric's music, but it did not appear to frighten him as much as it had on their first encounter, though it was having an effect, Emil was focusing a lot of his power on countering.
It seemed the battle was going well, or at least not going badly, for Detric and Conall, when suddenly, Detric winced, and Emil turned towards Jaci, and began to move towards her.
Alsandair and Crimthann stepped between them, knowing he was attempting to unbalance Detric by attacking her, but were thrown aside like chaff on the wind as Emil pursued Jaci.
Suddenly, before Detric could even act, Conall tackled Emil and wrapped him in a bear hug, and began to speak in the most beautiful language any had ever heard, though only Detric recognized it, he was speaking a celestial tongue, praying to the Source. Detric was horrified, Conall's action would kill Emil and end his power, yes, but it would likely also kill Conall, that was how it worked, it was a sacrifice...it had been his plan from the beginning.
As the two bodies began to glow, Emil squirming frantically,screaming a guttural "nnnnoooooo!", Conall looked up at Detric
“Live well!”

Suddenly a great burst of energy filled the room, and Emil and Conall disappeared. The evil all had sensed upon entering the caverns was gone, but all felt a new grief, Conall was no more. Crimthann, who had known Conall the longest, simply stared at the spot he had last seen his friend, shocked, unable to accept what had just occurred.

Detric had dropped to his knees, tears flowing freely, knowing the sacrifice his friend had made for him, knowing that should have been him.

Jaci stared in disbelief, and then moved over to console Detric. She did not understand what had just happened, but she knew her Detric was nearly insane with some great grief, and attempted to console him.

Alsandair had known, at least had an idea of, what was coming, and though saddened, accepted the fact that it had happened, and thanked the Source that it had not been Detric who had made the sacrifice. He moved over to Crimthann, who was still staring at the spot his old friend had been, still deep in shock.

“Emil is dead my friend, we have won”
“Conall is dead, we have won at what cost?”
“We knew coming in we would not all return, you, Conall and Detric knew that clearer than any of us. He has cleansed a great evil from this world, we mourn his passing yes, but we honor his act even more! Conall did not die in vain, he knew his end, and he welcomed it. He now rests with his forefathers in the great beyond.”
Crimthann began to overcome his shock, but he was still shaken. He had traveled with Conall for a long time, felled many foes at his side, Conall was almost a brother to him...and now he was no more.
He turned to Detric and Jaci
“Conall allowed himself to be taken to ensure that you would live, and I shall honor that. His death will not be in vain, and I will honor him by ensuring you live well. So long as I live, my blades shall serve you.”
Detric didn't know what to say, his eyes still covered in tears for Conall, so he simply nodded, then embraced Crimthann as a brother.
Alsandair watched all this, and, after a few moments, he bent and picked up Conall's helmet, all that remained, handed it to Crimthann, and walked from the room
“We must be going”
“The rest lingered for a moment, and then, knowing that no amount of grief or lingering would bring Conall back to them, ventured out of the room and back towards the surface, back home.

Ch. 10 Surprise Encounter

Jaci, Alsandair, Crimthann, and Conall had fallen into a bit of a rhythm. Conall would step out from the tunnel wall, his shield and armor blocking the arrows and darts shot by the attacking drow, and as he stepped out, the other three would move with him, staying behind him and using him as a massive wall, firing off a few shots, Alsandair over his head, Jaci from his side, and Crimthann on his other side. This was keeping the drow at bay, though Conall knew it wouldn't work forever, once drow clerics and wizards entered the battle, things would change and not for the better.
Detric felt rather helpless, standing there with his rapier ready, Jasmine and Cahan beside him, both uneasy, and seemingly as annoyed as Detric that they had nothing to contribute to the ongoing battle. Conall had advised against Detric using his pipes until they were absolutely needed, fearing they might cause a cave in. So Detric stood there and watched his friends. He was surprised at the speed and energy Conall possessed, the warriors of his old homeland would be amazed at such a large man moving with the energy of a child, and as the frustration of the drow warriors grew, the glee as well it seemed, as Conall began to openly mock them.
What happened next seemed to occur almost in a blur to Detric, and for that matter, to the others as well. On the far side of the cavern, across the city from them, the sounds of combat were becoming louder and louder, it seemed a battle was occurring there as well, far more intense than the cat and mouse occurring on their side of the cavern. On one of their shooting sprees, Jaci hesitated to try and see what was going on, throwing her timing off, and she was caught in the open as the others returned to the wall. A dart struck her in the throat, and she stumbled back to the wall, collapsing at Detric's feet, unconscious. Detric dropped to her side, and Crimthann, checking her over, saw the dart and recognized it nearly immediately.
“She has been struck with a piosoned dart that has knocked her uncouncious, the drow favor these, so they may capture their enemies for later torture or enslavement. Your Jaci will live”
Detric barely even heard him, and rose to his feet, pulling his pipes from his back. He began to move into the cavern, playing as he moved. The sound was an angry, fierce battletune, and it soon grew to a nearly deafening volume as it echoed off the cavern walls, soon sounding like there were thousands of bairds playing throughout the caves. The drow they had been fighting seemed frozen in terror, and some of them began to grab at their ears and writhe in pain.
Conall moved out to cover Detric, in case any of the drow should regain their composure and move to attack. Alsandair and Crimthann remained behind with Jaci, watching in amazement.
Suddenly, Crimthann jumped to his feet
“Do you hear drums joining Detric's song?” He turned excitedly to Alsandair.
“Yes...Yes, those are battle drums, from across the cavern!”
They decided that Crimthann would remain behind with Jaci and Jasmine, who by the way, was now pacing in earnest around Jaci's limp form, and Alsandair and Cahan would go on after Detric and Conall.
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As Alsandair caught up to them, they were approaching the drow city, and amazingly, encountering little to no resistance, most of the drow in sight writhing in pain from the effects of Detric's music, both magical and the sheer volume, yet somehow Detric's friends were not harmed by it. Suddenly, up ahead, a group of gnomes approached. They stopped when they saw the three before them, seeming unsure whether these were friend or foe. Detric stopped playing, and the gnomes decided he was a friend, after all, it was his music that had so disabled their enemies the drow, but they were still highly suspicous, as most deep gnomes are, these were outsiders after all.
Conall understood the situation. He had been through caverns before, and understood the behavior of deep gnomes and their deep distrust for anything they didn't know.
“My friends, we thank you for destroying the drow. Without your intervention, we would have surely been overwhelmed. We mean you no harm, we are hunting a surface elf who has turned evil and attacked his own kind, he is called Emil. We think he was working with the drow, perhaps you could help us in our hunt?”
The gnomes remained silent, staring at these strange outsiders, unsure if their offer of friendship could be trusted.
Conall attempted to negotiate with these strange new creatures, Detric had never seen a deep gnome before, and these were quite different than the gnomes he had met here and there in some of the cities around Sylvian Forest.  After what seemed an eternity, Crimthann and Jaci approached. Detric forgot about the gnomes and the battle, embracing his dear Jaci, overjoyed to see her alive and well.
Crimthann approached the gnomes, slowly pulling a large ruby from his pack, and the gnomes were suddenly interested. One of the gnomes approached to look closer at the ruby. After examining it for a time, he spoke
“The one you seek, this...Emil, we do not know him, but we saw a figure, not a drow, cross the river and enter a tunnel there” He pointed, across the river surrounding the city, revealing a hidden tunnel, accessable only by crossing the river. “He left as the drow began to lose the fight, as that one began to work his powerful music magic” The gnome pointed to Detric.
“And now, we thank you for your help in defeating our evil enemies the drow. Our village can now live in peace, we shall go our separate ways”
“Very well, may you live in peace, If you do not mind, we will have a quick look around the city.” Conall spoke
“Do as you wish, but kindly do not follow us”
“Agreed”
With that, the gnomes melted into the shadows, back the way they had come. No doubt their attack was the reason Detric and his friends had been able to hold out against and defeat the drow.
As they quickly searched the city, they found several slaves hiding here and there, elves, humans, drawves, gnomes, and a few halflings, a large number in fact, perhaps seventy in total, as well as a boat to bear them across to the secret cave. They did not stay to hunt for treasure or artifacts, they could not allow the trail of Emil to grow cold. But what to do with the slaves? They could not simply leave them, and they could not easily take them along, as they had no weapons, and were indeed a hapless lot. It was decided to send them towards the surface by way of the tunnel they had come down, it was safe from traps and enemies so far as they knew, and was the surest path to safety. The former slaves were able to gather enough food from the drow stores, and headed off on their way, carrying faery fire for light and grateful to be free once more. Once certain that the freed slaves knew the safest way to the surface, Detric, Conall, Crimthann, Jaci, Alsandair, and the panther Jasmine and wolf Cahan piled into a boat along the shore and headed for the hidden cave entrance.
Detric and Jaci were glad to be back together again, and Jaci even made light of her possible near death
“See, now we are even, you made me afraid for your life, and now I have returned the favor, now, lets niether of us almost die again, agreed?” She laughed
“Agreed, we shall leave these caves, together, hand in hand” Detric smiled at her
“We had better, your son will need you!”
Detric nearly fell from the boat, overcome with joy
“My son? you mean-”
“Yes, I mean we are to have a child, so no dieing allowed you foolish prince!”
They were both overjoyed at the moment, and too enthralled in one anothers presence to notice a solemn look overcome Conall, his lips moving in near silent prayer
Crimthann and Alsandair did not miss it, and Alsandair wished he had
“Take this burden off of Detric, pass it instead to me. Surely the will of the Source would not be to take his life, not as it is just beginning. Pass your mantle to me, this one must not die!” He continued praying, and Alsandair thought his own prayer of sorts “Detric will walk from this cave, hand in hand with his beloved....if he does not, I shall not, that is my oath before the Source this day”
Crimthann suddenly felt sick, and wished that his ears, for once, had heard wrong.

Ch. 9 The Cave

It seemed that no sooner had Detric closed his eyes after his turn on watch that it was time to wake up and prepare.
Once all were satisfied that their gear was ready to go, they headed for the cave.
Crimthann went first, checking the area for any traps; his approach was covered by Jaci and Alsandair, who approached the cave entrance in such a way that anything emerging from the cave would be caught in a crossfire from Jaci's crossbow and Alsandair's greatbow. Jasmine was at Jaci's side, though made uneasy by the cave, she trusted Jaci, and covered her flank and back, lest anything take the group by surprise, Cahan doing the same for Alsandair. Detric and Conall came a few paces behind Crimthann, close enough that should any attackers appear, Cornall could take the front. Only Jaci and Alsandair had weapons out and ready, Crimthann was busy looking for traps, and had any weapons he might own sheathed and hidden. Detric wondered once more what had become of Conall's greatsword, it wasn't exactly a small blade that could be concealed, yet Detric did not see it anywhere in sight.
As they entered the cave, Jaci shifted her position to protect the group from any ambush from behind, and Detric, being at the center of the group, held the torches, every now and then, when Crimthann would motion, he would move to the front to brighten a suspicious looking area for the rougue.
After they had moved along in the cave for some time, it opened up into a small cavern, which split off into three different tunnels, all three going deeper, into the earth. Crimthann examined all three entrances, and did not see any traps. Either Emil was extremely confident, or these were a long system of caverns. All hoped the first was the case, only Cornall and Crimthann seemed at all comfortable in these caves, none of the rest had ever been deep underground before, and decided it to be an entirely unpleasant experience.
After scouting all three tunnels for a bit, they found the first led into an underground river, they ruled that path out for now, as there was no safe way to continue on without a boat, and none liked the idea of possibly being ambushed from some unseen ledge while stuck in a boat anyways. If need be, they would return later to check this one further, but for now, they went back to the other two tunnels.
The middle tunnel led to a stone wall built across the passage, a thick iron door set in the center of the wall. Crimthann examined the door, decided it was free of traps, and looked at Conall.
“Open it or check the next tunnel?”
“Seems like a normal door to me, I sense nothing unusual about it, Detric?”
“Open it, this path seems right to me”
Crimthann managed to pull the door open, and winced as it made a heavy creaking sound on it's rusty hinges. All that stood behind was a small ledge, barely enough space for all of them to stand, a deep pit, perhaps 20 feet wide, and the tunnel continuing on the other side. They could hear, but not see water rushing below in the pit, perhaps part of the river that they had seen in the first tunnel
“Well then, either we figure out the trick to crossing this pit, or we check the third tunnel”
Crimthann examined the ledge for any clues as to crossing the pit, and decided that somehow, a ledge came across from the other side of the pit, creating a walkway to cross. How this occurred, he couldn't tell
“To the third tunnel then”
Detric hesitated, this path seemed right to him, but the others had already began heading back towards the third tunnel, and he reluctantly turned and followed them.
The far left tunnel led to a large, open cavern, a subteranian lake in the center, and passageways on each side of it. A river was flowing into and out of the lake, and there were bridges on either side of the lake crossing the river. It was a likely guess that this was the same river that the first tunnel had led to. The chamber was lit by an erie subterranean glow from the lake and what light their torch provided
They crossed the closest of the bridges, and continued on down the tunnel without incident, yet Detric could not shake the feeling that they should have attempted to investigate the middle tunnel further.

****************************************

They had been traveling through the caverns for what seemed forever, Detric had lost sense of time without the sun and stars, but he estimated nearly a week, and found nothing but tunnel after endless tunnel. Then he saw Crimthann stop short at a turn up ahead, move back, and motioned for them to look around the corner, he did not speak, not even a whisper, and motioned franticly for them to remain silent as well.
Peering around the corner, Detric saw an elflike figure, though much darker than any elf he had ever seen, with silver hair and pale pinkish, nearly white eyes, riding on what looked like a giant lizard, riding away from them down the tunnel, on the ceiling. He had never seen a drow before, he had not even heard of them, but he felt suddenly uneasy. After the rider was well out of sight, Jaci whispered
“Was that-”
“Yes, a drow sentry” Conall responded quietly. “This tunnel must lead to a drow settlement, it would seem your unease about this route was well placed master Detric”
“What now?” Detric asked “Shall we double back and recheck for a way across the pit, or go on?”
“Go on? who knows how many drow lay in the tunnel ahead” Crimthann spoke “and I have no desire of becoming a drow slave, or worse....”
“Yes, but we are near our target, I can sense Emil's presence, it has been growing stronger as we travelled, he is near” Detric spoke
“I have sensed it as well, but are we prepared to take on a settlement of an unknown number of drow to get to him? He may very well be working with them, I wouldn't put it past his kind” Conall spoke
“We should at least venture a little further, perhaps we can get some idea of their numbers.”
The rest of the party agreed, not really wanting to travel all the way back to check what may only be an impassible pit. They ventured cautiously forward, Alsandair keeping a steady eye for any other sentries appraoching, his bow ready for use, Jaci had her crossbow out, ready to support him in an instant. Conall motioned for Detric to draw his rapier, ready in case combat should surprise them. A small crossbow had appeared in Crimthann's hands, Detric was no longer surprised when random weapons and objects appeared from the halfling's pack, he seemed prepared for nearly every event. He still puzzled over Conall's sword, or lack thereof, and silently hoped he would not yet find out how the warrior-cleric would draw it from it's hiding place...though how one could hide a sword that size....
As they moved down the tunnel, they arrived at a piont where it opened up into a massive cavern. The cavern was reasonably well lit, faery fire lanterns here and there, a subterranean river flowing through, reflecting the light in an odd, underground way. Conall had doused the torch lest it give them away to any drow sentries. In the center of the river, on an island of sorts, sat the drow settlement. It was not large, perhaps only 30 or 40 drow and their slaves, but that was a larger number than any of the group felt like combatting, especially Conall and Crimthann, who had fought drow before.
The only bridges to cross the river led directly past or through the settlement. Now what? Emil was close, Detric and Conall could both strongly sense this, but how to get to him? Had they come all this way to have to decide between giving up or starting a suicidal battle with the drow?
The decision was suddenly made for them as an arrow flew at Conall's head, and with surprising speed for a man his size, he deftly knocked it aside with his shield. Suddenly, at a snap of his fingers, his sword appeared in his hand, and Conall was ready for war. Alsandair had seen the movement behind the launched arrow, and unleashed a shot of his own, gratified to see a burst of flame and hear shriek from the sentry who had seen them. His bow shot true indeed, the flame revealed an arrow directly between the eyes of the drow sentry, who fell from his mount and plunged into the ground below.
Several other Drow were now alerted to their presence, and the battle was underway, like it or not

Ch. 8 The Hunt Begins

Detric, Jaci and her panther Jasmine, and Alsandair and his wolf Cahan prepared to leave the village. Detric had his pipes fastened to his pack and a dagger at his hip; Jaci, looking rather fierce, in leather armor, her dual scimitars sheathed across her back, a crossbow fastened between them, and a sheath of ten throwing daggers on each thigh; and Alsandair, also wearing leather armor, a massive greatbow and quiver across his back, a scimitar at each side, and on his left sleeve a sheath for five throwing daggers, the three departed the village and headed towards Meadowbrook. Along the way, they bantered amongst themselves, though remaining alert to their surroundings. The three day journey passed without major event, although Detric could not shake the feeling that someone or something was trailing them. Upon their arrival, they began to ensure they had all they would need for an extended journey. Jaci had not been farther east than here, and Alsandair though he had left the forest before, had gone west last time, so once leaving Meadowbrook, they would be relying entirely on whatever trail Emil left behind him and the guidance of the Source. The Elders had given them each a bag of goldpiece to purchase any needed supplies or weapons and such, and Detric was more than grateful for their genorousity, despite the outright animousity of some of the others in the forest. They filled their packs with rations, a few medical supplies, torches, and several other travel odds and ends, and Alsandair grabbed several extra bowstrings and three extra quiver of arrows. Feeling well prepared, they decided to head on out, as the day was still early and there was no reason to tarry. One of the merchants in town had told them that the next closest settlement of any size was Caem, a day or so to the northeast. This would be their direction of travel, they knew Emil was likely to the northeast, so for now that was where they would head.
They traveled along on what could loosely be defined as a road, more two ruts than an actual road, but it would do for now. The countryside, mainly gentle, rolling hills and grassland, with the ocasionaly grouping of trees here and there, was far different than the forest Jaci and Jasmine were used to, and Jasmine was roaming about getting comfortable with this new terrain.
After they had traveled for most of the day, Detric once again had the unmistakable feeling they were being watched. He looked around, there were no trees in the area, only grassland, and the grass was not thick enough for anyone to reasonably hide in and follow them at the same time...yet they were being watched. Suddenly he heard a commotion behind him. The three travelers turned to see Cahan, Alsandair's wolf, chase a rat from the grass. Detric could not be certain, but were that rat's eyes red? The question was quickly answered for him, for as soon as it looked like Cahan would have the rat, it transformed. Standing before them was a tiny creature, horns, batwings, and an ugly greenish skin. It stood not even 2 feet tall, and had the telltale blood red eyes. Before Detric could even react, an arrow flew by his head, the creature disappeared, and he heard an otherworldly shriek. The creature reappered, dead, one of Alsandair's arrows through the side of it's head.
“A Quasit, a demon servant of Emil.” Alsandair spit
“That is what has been following us? Who knows what it has seen, what Emil knows of our plans!”
“No matter, there are likely more about anyways, we must continue on to Caem, we should reach it soon after nightfall.”
“Yes” Detric spoke again, “We will spend the night there, and continue on the morning. Who knows what Emil has sent after us, we will be safer in a settlement than in the open.”
They continued on, moving quickly, not running, but moving with a purpose. As Alsandair had surmised, they reached Caem not long after dusk. It was a small city, built on a hill with a view of all the surrounding area, and was indeed a beautiful place. There was a pub with an inn there, and they rented a room for the night. They wasted no time, as they wanted to get an early start in the morning, so they ate a quick hot meal and headed to the room. The room had no funiture other than a chair, table, and one bed. Alsandair looked at the room, pulled out his bed roll, and placed it against the door, so anyone attempting to enter would first meet him. Detric and Jaci took the bed, Detric focusing on protecting the room before falling to sleep.
The night passed without event, but early the next morning, right as they beginning to awake and prepare for the day, there was a light rap on the door. Alsandair jumped to his feet, his twin scimitars seeming to fly into his hands, and he motioned for Jaci to load her crossbow.
“You need not fear, we are friends, the Source has sent us to aid your quest.”
Detric began to focus. “They speak the truth, open the door.”
Alsandair did so, though not letting down his guard, and Jaci kept her crossbow aimed at the entrance as the door opened. Standing before them was an older man, grey haired, dressed in shined chainmail that seemed almost silver, and, on both his shield and chest were emblazened a shining silver eye. Detric looked again, indeed, his eyes were silver, a true warrior-cleric of the source.
Standing beside him, almost escaping notice, was a very short looking human, or perhaps a halfling? Detric had never seen one close, but he guessed that was what he saw. The halfling had brown hair, and brown, roaming eyes; he wore an unassuming brown robe, and appeared to carry nothing but a small pack on his back.
“Greetings friends, we are -” The warrior-cleric began to speak
“Conall and Crimthann, the Source sent you to aid us, welcome” Detric interrupted “This is Alsandair, Jaci, and I am -”
“You would be Detric” It was Conall's turn to interrupt. He laughed “The Source speaks to me as well my friend”
“Nice to meet you, we should be going now, we must use the daylight whilst we have it” Alsandair strode from the room, not being rude, simply his normal, focused self
The rest of the group followed, Detric and Conall already deep in conversation, Crimthann eyeing Jaci's throwing daggers, likely contemplating “borrowing” them.
As they departed the village and continued northeast, the group became much friendlier, Jaci earned the unending love of Crimthann when, noticing him continuiosly glancing at her sheaths of throwing daggers, she tossed him one of the them. Alsandair began to relax once they were back on the road, and Detric noticed he no longer carried his bow on his back, but out and ready for use,  he now allowed Conall to take the lead of the party.
As they traveled along, Crimthann began to pull items here and there from his pack. Detric was amazed that such a little fellow carried so many things in his pack. To Detric and Jaci he handed each a bracelet and a ring, explaining that, wherever they were, they could call one another to their side, with the bracelets they would never again be separated from one another, and while each was wearing the ring, one can cast a shield around the other, so they may always protect one another from harm.
He also gave Detric what appeared to be a normal looking rapier, a silver eye emblazoned on the hilt.
“This sword, when ever used in battle, is more than just a normal sword. Whenever it hits an enemy, the sword will call forth lightning, and they will be struck. You may also command the sword to be sheathed in bursts of electricity, to be unleashed on your command. These are the gifts of the Source to you.”
“Your gift earlier has increased itself” He turned to Jaci, and handed her a new sheath of ten throwing knives, looking nearly identical to the one she had given him earlier, except each knife hilt, as well as the sheath itself, were adorned with a silver eye.
“Each of these knives, whenever thrown, will return to you once they have found their target. Also, these blades, once thrown, will hit their target, they cannot miss. These are the Sources gifts to you.”
“Alsandair, to you the Source gives a new bow.” All except Conall were amazed to see the halfling pull a new greatbow from his pack, a silver eye above and below where it would be held. “This bow cannot miss it's target, and all arrows fired from it will burst into flame once striking their target, burning your enemies. This is the gift of the Source to you”
And then, as if nothing out of the ordinary occurred, he and Conall continued onward. Alsandair shrugged, placed his old bow on his back and continued on, admiring his new bow as he walked. Detric and Jaci looked at each other, laughed, and followed. This was going to be an interesting hunt.
After travelling through much of the day, they had stopped a ways before what looked like a small cave in a hill. Detric looked at the cave and felt a familiar chill.
“That is where we must go to hunt Emil”
“Yes friend” Conall answered him “but we do not go tonight, we shall make camp a bit away, and enter tomorrow”
The group agreed on a watch, and Alsandair once again took the first watch, as the rest settled in for the night. There was still sometime before it was time to sleep, and all used it to prepare in his own way. Conall had produced a massive greatsword from somewheres, Detric hadn't seen it before, and was ensuring it was ready for battle, as well as checking over all of his armor.
Alsandair was checking his bows, ensuring the bowstrings were in good shape, as well as checking his scimitars and throwing daggers, ensuring none of the sheathed daggers would catch as he drew his bow.
Jaci was using her new daggers, and was delighted to see that Crimthann had not exaggerated. They did not miss, and returned to her after each throw. She checked them and each of her scimitars over to ensure they were sharp and ready for battle.
Detric checked over his weapons and his pipes, ensuring they were ready, then began to focus and pray for the coming conflict. Conall joined him, and they were both certain that the Source was with them for this coming hunt.
Jasmine and Cahan had been off hunting, and both returned, satisfied and content, though the cave made them uneasy, soon after nightfall
they prepared to get some sleep, as Alsandair stood first watch, all wanting to be rested for whatever the coming days held.

Ch. 7 Dreams

The battle had occurred nearly two months before, and events had begun to return to normal in the forest. The celebrations of victory, and ceremonies for the fallen now complete. However, some seemed to believe that Emil and the evil that consumed him had survived the battle.
One thing had not returned to normal in the village. It was not a secret how close Jaci and Detric had become, often going off into the forest for days at a time. Many surmised that there was more between the two than friendship, and some muttered amongst themselves about an elf and a human, though none said anything around Jaci and Detric. Things were not all normal in the village, the population was slowly being split, some were developing a, for the moment, hidden dislike of Detric despite his actions in the last battle, and some considered him one of their own, almost family.

******************************************

Detric looked around him, something was not quite right, he could not place what, but everything felt...wrong. The forest around him seemed dark and twisted, it seemed as if the trees themselves were fighting one another. Then, from behind him, he heard a scream. He turned, and to his horror, saw two elves fighting, and one had just gutted the other! What was going on? The first elf, seeing his opponent finished, turned and ran at Detric, as if to kill him. The Elf's eyes were blood red, as Emil's! just as the blade should have sliced his throat, Detric awoke.

“Just a dream” He thought to himself, and determined to go back to sleep, not wanting to wake Jaci over a foolish dream
It seemed that, no sooner had he closed his eyes, another dream was upon him. He was walking through the village, yet it seemed all of the eyes he met, were blood red, staring back at him in hatred. Soon the entire village had split into two groups, ready to fight one another....over him? What was going on?

Suddenly, the images of the village faded, and Detric was in a clearing, all alone, rather like when he encountered the Source, but this clearing was different, twisted, not in any way beautiful or peaceful, surrounded and filled with thorn bushes and brier patches, nettles and all other sorts of unpleasant plants. Suddenly, two blood red eyes appeared, floating before him.
“I will destroy you and all you hold dear. Your little village you call home, I will cause to tear itself apart. Your Jaci, I will destroy from within her own mind. You should not have stood against me, You know not what you have brought upon yourself. Run, now, run away, and I will let you live. Stand and fight, and you will watch all you love and hold dear rip itself apart.”

Jaci woke quickly as Detric screamed and sat up beside her, in a cold sweat and frightened out of his mind. Seeing her beside him, he began to calm a bit...but it was not a peaceful calm, Detric had gone from fearful to angry. Jaci saw war in his eyes. What had troubled him so, and now had him so angry?
He embraced her and spoke “I will not lose you, and I will not run”
What was he talking about? How would he lose her, and what was there to run from?
Detric sat back, and seeing her confusion, explained his dreams to her, and told her these were not the first, but this was the first time that evil had spoken directly to him.
“These are not mere dreams Detric, these are a warning, a message. We must speak with Anshelm!”

*************************************************

They arrived at the central hall, and sought out Anshelm. They were rather surprised to see him , Aloysuis, and a black haired elf whom Detric did not recognize, in deep conversation. Anshelm, seeing them, called them over
“Detric, Jaci, come, this concerns you. Alsandair,” Anshelm turned to the third elf “Tell these two what you have told me”
Alsandair recounted how he had several dreams over the past few days, all of a division of the village,of warfare and tearing apart, and of Detric, and to some extent, Jaci, becoming a target of extreme and unexplained hatred. As he finished his account, Detric told of his dreams, including his direct encounter with evil.
Anshelm sighed, “It is as I feared, Emil has survived somehow, and knows that the Source is using you to repel him. He cannot attack you directly, but he can attack your mind and those around you. He is trying to divide the village, to drive you out, and I fear he is succeeding. The two of you are causing much gossip and discord. There is rumor you have taken oaths before the Source, that you have joined your souls, as one”
“And if we have!?” Jaci asked, eyes blazing
“Wonderful, but some mutter that this cannot be between a human and an elf, he is not one of us, an outsider”
“This outsider nearly died to save our homes and lives...This outsider who is closer to the source than many of us-” She was interrupted by a gentle touch on her shoulder
“It has begun, do you not see, evil is at work, it would have us fight amongst ourselves rather than focus on destroying it.”
Detric turned to Alsandair, “ you shall travel with us”
“what? to where?” Jaci asked
“To hunt this evil entity down, to destroy it once and for all. It is using the two of us to divide the village, if we leave, that discord is gone. But we will not run away, we will hunt, this evil shall woe the day it focused on Sylvian Forests.”
“Yes” Anshelm spoke, “Yes, Emil must be sought out and destroyed before he gains enough power to carry out his threats.”
“The Source wills it, now, we three must depart”
None present noticed a rat, eyes blood red, scurry from the shadows and out to the forest as they prepared to depart.

Ch. 6 The Awakening

Detric looked at the battle waging around him. The fight had become truly desparate, with enemy forces nearly encircling their shrinking army, and closing in on three sides. The clerics were still deadlocked with the enemy clerics, as were himself and the other warrior bairds. The situation seemed utterly hopeless. The nearest reinforcements were at best a days march away in the forest, and the enemy seemed to have a nearly unending force of orcs, undead, and other evilkind.
He closed his eyes, and was suddenly in a peaceful clearing. A voice, just as before, spoke to him.
“Do you trust me?” the voice asked
Detric did not hesitate, he knew The Source was speaking to him “Yes”
“Would you lose your life for my gain?”
“Yes, my life is not mine to keep”
“Do as I tell you, and your friends will be saved”

**************************************

Jaci glanced towards where the bairds were, and noticed Detric almost in a trance, oblivious to the battle waging around him, seemingly in a different world entirely.
Then suddenly, he snapped to, ran over to Anshelm, got his attention and had a brief discussion with him, Anshelm nodded and Detric stepped away.
Suddenly, to Jaci's surprise, she heard Detric, in a commanding voice, proclaim
“Bairds, as one! Play as one!”
The bairds had all been playing individually, and though the music mixed and worked together, it was not one song, for each baird had a different true song. To Jaci's surprise, they all began to play as one, following Detric's lead. The song was magnificent, more powerful than had ever been known in the history of the land. Never before had so many bairds joined their powers together as one, Jaci did not even know it could be done.
Suddenly, the Silver clerics focused their attention on Detric, and he began to move out of the group and towards the enemy center.
The Red clerics switched their focus to Detric as well, but it seemed nothing they threw at him even touched him, fireballs simply passed through or came up short, bolts of lightning smashing all around him but he continued on. The enemy forces soon forgot entirely about the elven army, focusing fully on bringing Detric down. All ground troops that came near to strike at him were smashed away by a glowing golden sword that seemingly appeared from nowhere. The Song grew in power as Detric approached the gathering of red clerics. Jaci and the others watched in amazement as Detric walked into their midst unscathed, then suddenly, to her horror, a great fireball erupted from where Detric had once stood, engulfing all the enemy forces in sight, yet, where Detric had once stood, only a crater was visible.
Jaci was the first of the elven forces to sprint towards the crater, not caring if any enemy remained. Soon much of the army approached, and peered down at the body of Detric, laying quite still inside the crater. Many were amazed that his body was even intact, though they kept quiet near Jaci, who looked quite insane with shock.
Aloysuis climbed down the crater, and motioned for one of the clerics to follow. As they approached the body, Aloysuis called out in amazement
“He's...He's alive! He still breathes!”
Jaci half ran, half jumped into the crater, amazed her friend had survived the explosion, and arrived in time to see him sit up and accept a drink from Aloysuis.
She stopped short, looked again
“His...his eyes....his eyes are silver!”
As they helped him from the crater, the army began to talk about what they had just seen, and what they now saw before them. Had the human boy who had, months before known nothing of the power of music, magic, or The Source, just marched into and singlehandedly destroyed an entire enemy force? An an enemy force which, moments before had them nearly destroyed? And furthermore, survived an explosion of unseen magnitude, only to climb from the crater with the silver eyes of one touched by the Source?
The entire way back to the village, the army was abuzz, each telling his perspective of the unbelievable events.
Each that is, save Jaci, who would not be separated from her Detric. She knew he had died in that explosion, and praised the Source for returning him
Another remained quiet on the journey home. Anshelm sensed that Emil had somehow escaped with his life. He did not know how, and did not understand why the Source had allowed such evil to escape, but knew that todays battle was not the last. And then, he had a human Baird who, apparently, was also Source touched. In all his years, Anshelm had never seen a non cleric receive the touch of the Source. Of use to the Source indeed!

Ch. 5 Emil Returns

Detric, Jaci, and Jasmine moved through the forest towards the main village of the Sylvian Forests at nearly a full sprint. Detric was surprised that he did not tire, they had been moving for days now stopping only for short rests. It was as if The Source itself pushed them along. Who was this Emil, and how had he managed to repel his evil? Detric was confused, but knew that whatever was going on, the Elders must be informed.
They arrived at the central hall in two days, many of the village were surprised to see them return so quickly, and more surprised by the urgency and fear in Jaci's eyes. By the time they reached the central hall, it seemed the entire village followed them in.
“Elmil has returned!” Jaci shouted, ignoring the normal customs of the hall.
All grew silent, and everyone in the hall turned and stared at Jaci in disbelief
“He attacked us outside of Meadowbrook, and Detric repelled him!”
“Detric?” one of the crowd asked
“I found my true song it seems”
“How do you know it was Emil?” Arvid asked
“The red cloak, the blood red eyes, and he knew me...he has come back, and he is powerful. He would have destroyed us were it not for Detric”
“He must be powerful indeed if he has overcome his banishment-” Anshelm began, but was interrupted by another voice, entering the hall
“The northeast patrol is under attack, undead are swarming our borders!” A young elf warrior ran in.
“Emil has returned indeed...we must act quickly” Gereon spoke “Eilert, Pridbjorn, summon your forces, war has returned to our midst. Anshelm, call your clerics, you will be needed to fight this evil. Aloysuis, Detric, gather the war-bairds. The elfkind march to war!”
“Come young Detric, there is much I must tell you” Aloysuis nearly dragged him from the central hall, explaining as they ran to the baird-hall
“Emil was once a great Silver Cleric, one of the most powerful, but he turned, forsaking the ways of The Source, he became a force of great evil, and many clerics and others followed him in his evil ways. He and his followers were banished from the forest, but only by the joint work of our clerics here....it seems he has now overcome that banishment, and has returned to once again attempt to overthrow the Elders and displace the Source from the lands.”
“Yet I repelled him? how is this possible?”
“You did not repel him, the Source protected you, yes, you played a part, but it was the power of the Source moving through you that repelled him. You have a strong soul, we will need you in this fight.”
Detric did not entirely understand, but he followed Aloysuis into the baird-hall anyways.
Horns, bells, and whistles were sounding throughout the village. The Elf-kind were preparing for war indeed...but how could one man instill such fear? What evil was this that could strike fear into the hearts of these elfkind? Detric had never seen his friends so determined, afraid yes, but a different sort of fear...what was he marching into?
It did not take long for a force to be gathered, Clerics, Druids and shapeshifters, Rangers and Warrior, and warrior-bairds scattered here and there, Detric among them. They began marching northeast, with another force remaining in the village should Emil maneuver around them. Eagles, Hawks, and other birds acted as scouts. Detric could not tell if these were shapeshifters or actual animals, but decided it was likely a mix of both. As they Marched, all of the bairds broke into music, and powerful music indeed. Detric played with them, and the combination of flutes, drums, harps, horns, and his pipes made an awesome, warlike sound. All the elfkind in range of the sound had an increased step, seemed to grow in strength and courage. Music was powerful indeed. What should have been a two day journey was made in not even one day. Detric was uncertain if it was the magic of the music, or of the clerics, or some combination of the two, but some sort of magic was at work here, he had never seen an army move so quickly and not tire!
As they approached, what was left of the patrols battling the undead mixed into their ranks, the wounded moving to the rear where a mix of clerics, druids, and bairds were awaiting the wounded.
The battlefield was a meadow just outside the tree line, swarming with creatures Detric had only seen before in his nightmares. Undead of all types, evil clerics, all wearing the dark red robes of Emil, seemed to be commanding the evil mass, and more were coming. How could the elfkind resist such evil, such hate? They were heavily outnumbered, and had slim hope of reinforcements of any great magnitude.
The music continued, and his fear began to disappear. He realized that his and the other warrior-bairds role in this battle would be to strengthen those fighting, to counter the fear instilled by such evil, and continued to play.
He saw a group of clerics, led by Anshelm begin some sort of chanting prayer, and saw undead struck down as they approached. A group of the red clerics, seeing this also formed a group and, seemed to be focusing on the Silver clerics. A battle of wills began, and a baird near the clerics who had been supporting them was thrown through the air by an unseen force. The undead onslaught had ceased, held back by the clerics, but these very clerics were now the focus of another sort of attack, and though he did not entirely understand, Detric knew that the Silver and red clerics were now directly battling one another, and called out, in a commanding voice that surprised him “Bairds! assemble with the Clerics!” as he spoke, he ran to them, and began to focus his energy and music on them, joined by several other bairds. He heard across the battlefield what seemed to be the most vile and evil music he had ever heard, and realized that the evil forces also had warrior bairds, and they, along with the Clerics, were now in a direct battle of wills.

********************************************

Jaci watched helplessly as the Cleric and Baird duels grew in intensity, then saw a horde of orcs and trolls approaching. Emil had pulled out all the stops, summoning all sorts of evil to the battle. Her twin scimitars would taste blood today.
All forces were now fully engaged, the clerics and bairds in a duel of mind and magic, and now, the warriors, rangers, druids and shapeshifters were directly engaged with an army of orcs, trolls, goblins, and undead, as the clerics could not focus enough attention on smiting them all.
Jaci tore through all near her with her twin scimitars, Jasmine at her side protecting her flank and rear. The elfkind were superior in skill and determination, but were being worn down by sheer numbers. It seemed the more creatures Jaci sliced through, the more appeared on the horizon. The Silver clerics were not overpowered, but could not focus any aid onto the battlefield, having to use all their power to hold the evil red clerics at bay, and many of the bairds were also engaged in that duel. The elfkind were running out of numbers, many druids having to leave the front line to act as healers, replacing the clerics otherwise occupied. The front line forces of the elfkind found them fighting enemy forces on three sides, struggling to keep from being encircled. This had become a battle for their very lives, and they were slowly being worn down.

Ch. 4 The Song

Detric sat in one of the clearings out side the village. Several months had passed since he first arrived, and he was now free to go wherever he pleased within the forest, so long as he remained within the boundaries. He couldn't believe how much things had changed for him in the past year or so. He had left his home an outcast and a joke, now he had many friends and was learning how to use his music. He still did not know his true song, but Aloysuis had told him to be patient, his true song would come from The Source in it's own time, some did not hear their true song for years. He could do simple things now, charming children and small animals, but he knew this was not his true purpose. Even relying on The Source was new two him. The men in his homeland believed in nothing besides their own might, and worshiped nothing besides their own power, now here he was.
He had gone to some of the other settlements to the east with other members of the Forest, and had been surprised to see settlements of humans, halflings, a drawf mine, and many other things he once thought only myths. As he pondered the past few months, he heard a familiar voice through the trees.
“Detric?” Jaci called
“Over here”
He saw Jasmine first, running over to sit beside him. Who would have believed that one of his new friends would be a jet black panther? Jaci came over close behind.
“I'm to take you to Meadowbrook” Meadowbrook was a settlement three days journey to the east, a small city of sorts, of men, elves, and halflings.
“Why Meadowbrook?”
“I don't know, Anshelm said you would know once we got there..oh, and he said to give you this” Jaci handed him a small pouch, which upon opening, held several silver pieces. Detric was confused, and didn't bother to hide it
“Well” Jaci said “We may as well be off, according to Anshelm The Source will make all clear to you as we go”
Jaci threw his pack at him playfully and started east, and Detric decided he may as well go and see what would happen, if Anshelm was sending him, something was bound to happen, after all, he had yet to see a cleric of The Source make an error.
The journey did not seem to be three days to Detric, then again, time always flew when he was with Jaci, and he was almost sad to see Meadowbrook in the distance. Upon arriving with the city, he felt drawn to a peddlers cart in one of the street circles. He could not explain it, but he could not help feel that this peddler had why he had come. Looking at the different wares, nothing caught his eye. Surely he had been given the silver to buy something, and he could not shake the feeling that there was something here that was to be his...but there was nothing.
“Can I help ye lad?” The trader asked in a thick northern accent
“Are these all of your wares?”
“Well, yea, oh, theres a few odds and ends in the wagon, but nothing of importance really, what is it you seek?”
“I don't know.....”
“Ye don't know?” The man laughed kindly “well that makes trade rather difficult don't it?”
“I'm looking for a musical Instrument-” Detric proclaimed, surprising himself
“Ah, well, I have flutes, harps, horns, drums -”
“No...No...something different...”
“Ok, let me see...I have some Northern Pipes in the wagon, but few in this area are interested in them”
“May I see them?” Detric asked excitedly. The peddler pulled one from a crate in the wagon, and he knew this was what he was to buy...he had never seen an instrument like it, a bag with several pipes protruding from it, one looking like a flute, this was his new instrument. He eagerly payed the trader and turned to leave
“Thats why we came?” Jaci asked, not sure what she was looking at. Neither one of them noticed the dark hooded man who had been watching them since their entry into the city.
“Yes, it's my new instrument!” Detric declared “Though I have no idea how it's played...but I shall figure it out, Source willing”
“Right then, let's get back to the forest, I'm suddenly not liking this place...something is wrong”
Detric had begun to feel it as well, nothing major, but a definite chill had fallen over him, and the hairs on his neck were raised...something was wrong indeed.
As they journeyed back towards the forest, they could not shake the cold feeling that had gripped them in the village. In fact, it seemed to be growing stronger. Jasmine was on edge as well. Some great evil was nearby....and it was hunting them.
Detric looked over at Jaci, about to ask what could be wrong, but he stopped short. He saw two things he had never seen before, two very frightening things; Jaci, frozen in fear, and a tall hooded figure, cloaked in dark red, and nothing showing from his hood save two blood red eyes.
“E.....Emil?!” Jaci managed, the fear nearly choking her.
The laughter nearly dropped Detric to his knees....a deep, guttoral, dark laughter
“So you remember your banished cousin Jaci? I remember you!” As he spoke, Jaci collapsed, as if an invisible hand had thrown her down. Jasmine ran snarling at the hooded figure, but was thrown aside, once again by a seemingly invisible hand
Suddenly, Detric heard another voice, a friendly voice, though it seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere
“Play” he hesitated, frozen in fear
“Play your new pipes, you will be saved”
Detric pulled up the pipes, and though having never seen, let alone played anything like them, he suddenly knew them as if he had been born with them. He began to play, as he had never played before, from deep within his soul.
Jaci regained her senses, surprised to hear the most incredible, powerful music her ears had ever beheld. She was more surprised to see herself, Detric, and Jasmine encircled by a large host of Silver Clerics and monks....and Emil running in fear. She felt new strength coursing through her, in fact, she felt better than before the evil had struck her. Detric had found his song!
He did not cease playing until long after Emil was out of sight, and as he stopped, the host surrounding them disappeared, but the strength and courage remained. Jaci jumped to her feet
“We must get home quickly, the elder's must know that Emil has returned!”
“Wait, what just happened?!”
“I'll explain on the way, we must make haste!”

Ch. 3 The Elders

Jaci led him into a central, giant hall. Detric looked around in wonder...the entire building seemed to have been carved out of a tree, though it was far to large to have been built from a single tree, the craftsmanship was incredible. Everything had a practical purpose, yet everything had a natural beauty about it. Even the floor and the ceiling were crafted in such a way that the appeared to have the rings of a tree. Detric was impressed with the care that was put into the architecture here, the villages and cities of his homeland seemed ugly and cold compared to the architecture of the elfkind.
His Amazement was interrupted by Jaci speaking to five male elves seated at a semi-circle table in the center of the room and a language he had never heard before “Even their speech is more beautiful than ours!” He thought to himself. Jaci, realizing he did not understand the language, translated for him
“I have introduced you to the elders, normally, all official business in these halls are in Sylvian, but they have agreed for your sake to speak the common tongue. You see before you, starting on your left, Arvid, the junior elder; Anshelm, the chief cleric, note his eyes, only clerics of the source have silver eyes, and you should respect all silver eyed elfkind you meet; Pridbjorn, Chief shape shifter: Eilert, Warrior Captain of the forests; and on your far right, Gereon, the head elder, and the oldest and wisest among us”

“Tell us Detric Orlendr” Arvid, an elf with golden hair and green eyes spoke first “How did you come upon our lands, and what is your purpose”
Detric was not sure how he should address such an assembly, but decided that this was an equivalent to a royal court back home, and so spoke accordingly, explaining his past as he had to Jaci, how he had left his homeland feeling unwelcome and out of place, and determined to head north, to the land of legends and myths, to seek a new life, and how Jaci had saved him from an orc ambush, invited him here, and told him of a purpose for his heart for music
The Elders conversed amongst themselves in the language of the elfkind, and after a short time, Arvid spoke again
“You may stay, and welcome. Jaci will introduce you to Aloysuis, he will be your trainer, we shall see if your music is indeed of use to the Source. You are welcome here, but know this, do not leave the village alone, you do not know these lands or our customs, for now, someone shall always be with you, both for your protection and ours.”
With that, Jaci led him out of the central hall, and to another building nearby. Detric's heart jumped. Flowing from this building was some of the finest music he had ever heard! Inside were a gathering of elfkind, all looking jaci's age or younger, though it seemed to Detric, from what he saw and what he had heard of legend, that young for an elfkind was entirely another matter than young for a human. Jaci waited for the song to cease, and led him to the elf in the center of the group
“Aloysuis, I found you a little brother wandering in the forests”
“Oh?” the dark skinned, silver haired elf turned and looked at Detric, seeming to look into his soul with his dark blue eyes
“Younger brother indeed, you have a heart for music Orlendr?”
Jaci explained that Orlendr meant outsider in their tongue
“I am Detric, and I have loved music since birth. My homeland does not see much use for music, outside of amusement, and so I left seeking a new life. Jaci says you can show me a new purpose for my music.”
Aloysuis smiled, “We shall see what the Source has in mind for you, play me a tune”
Detric noticed that Jaci had slipped away, and suddenly felt alone, but proceeded to play.
He played a new song, one he had never played before, a song of hope, of friends, and of joy. He surprised even himself with how beautiful his music sounded
“The Source has a plan for you indeed. You know how to play, but do you know how to control your music?”
“Control?”
“Music, if controlled and used properly, has the power to heal, to instill courage, fear, to increase or to steal strength, music is a magic in and of itself, a weapon, a spell, when you master your true song, you can do powerful deeds.”
“My true song?”
“The source will reveal it to you in time, it is the source of your greatest power, only you can play it, and no-one can teach it to you. You will know it when you find it, but only through training will you be able to truly control it. I shall teach you the ways of a baird, but only through the Source will you learn.”

Ch 2. A New Home

After what seemed an eternity to Detric, a change came over Jaci, she seemed less guarded, waved at a tree, and laughed
What Detric didn't notice was that in that tree sat a sentry, as with many others. After three days, they were in Jaci's territory.

“Welcome to the Sylvian Forests, we are safe now, and you can speak again”
“Sylvian Forests? what makes us safe? where are you taking me?”
“Sylvian Forests, the home of my people, we are safe because these borders are actively patrolled, if you had payed closer attention, you would have seen me wave at one of those patrols, and I am taking you to my village, now, tell me, what is your story, oh foolish prince?”
“Foolish prince? I do have a name-”
“You can speak again, and all you do is complain about being called foolish?” Jaci laughed again “You must admit, you are not the most intelligent adventurer to stride this earth....though that will change, if you wish”
“You will help me?”
“My people will, yes, but first, your story...lest you wish another quiet two days journey to my village, and then you may tell the elders...you want conversation, talk”
Detric was amazed at how much his new friend laughed, though often at him, it was not a degrading laughter like he had experienced in his homeland, it was a warm, friendly laughter...Detric felt at home as he never had, and began to tell his tale, telling of how, as the younger prince of a warrior king, his brother also a strong warrior, and how he had never loved combat as the men of his kingdom were expected to. He shared how he preferred music to war, stories to combat, and so was the laughing stock of his kingdom, at first behind his back, he was a prince after all, but as time went on, the jokes were told to his face....woman played music, men were expected to be soldiers and warriors. And so, he left his homeland and strode north, over the great mountains, to seek a new home. Jaci listened intently, having never ventured past the southern mountains, and surprised to hear that the kingdoms and dominions there consisted entirely of humans...no orcs, no elves, none of the creatures common in the North, and beyond that, most to the south did not even believe in the existence of such creatures, the Northern lands were a legend and a myth in the south, few men daring to venture over the great mountains. Fool or not, this Detric boy had heart, and he had some talent with music. The Source had a purpose for him after all
“Detric, what if you could use your music in combat? Music is more powerful than you have been taught..You will like Aloysuis, he is a kindred soul”
“Music and war? In war? Music has no place in combat!”
“You have much to learn my foolish prince” Jaci laughed once more
It had not seemed like two days to Detric, but there before him lay the oddest looking village he had ever seen...it seemed almost a part of the forest, not like the villages of his homeland, it appeared to have grown there, rather than built. Detric was beginning to like the northlands more and more. He had begun to realize that Jaci and her people were not humans, but elfkind, yet more myth becoming real before his very eyes, and he could not wait to see what other myth would indeed be reality. Detric was at home, for the first time in his life, he was home. He looked around him, there were no streets as he knew, more pathways and hallways through buildings that seemed to grow out of the trees, complementing the forest around, rather than displacing it.
Jaci led him to what seemed a central building, “Come, you must meet the village elders, they will decide if you may stay or not”
“Decide?”
“Don't worry, they'll let you stay, The Source has purpose for you, you shall see”
“The Source?”
“In time, you'll learn, if you are willing”

Ch 1. A New Beginning

Jaci couldn't believe her eyes. She had been tracking a small orc scouting party through the woods for days, perhaps a week away from her village, and now this. Wandering along in the middle of nowhere, oblivious to the events unfolding around him, wandered a fancy dressed boy singing away and strumming away on some sort of harp.

The orcs had also turned and were watching their new prey wander aimlessly through the woods. Jaci hadn't intended on killing these orcs just yet, hoping to see how large of a raiding party they were scouting for, but she could not allow this boy to be murdered before her very eyes, no matter how foolish he was.

Two of the orcs had their bows out and ready, she would have to move fast if this fool was to live. Stealth was no longer an option, she urged Jasmine to protect the boy, and headed for the orcs.

*****************************

Detric's peace was quickly interrupted. He heard the brush part off to his right and was startled to see a midnight dark panther dive at him and pin him to the ground, and more startled yet when it did nothing more than pin him down. To his amazement, another panther darted from higher up the path, tearing back into the thickets on the other side, darting between..arrows? “What have I stumbled into now?” he groaned aloud. Then from the left thickets, he heard the sounds of combat, a panthers growl, and strange screams he had never heard before.

The second panther emerged from the woods as the first one allowed him up. Detric stood shakily, unsure as to what would happen next, and nearly fell over once more at what he saw. Where the second panther had once stood, there was now a beautiful woman, possibly the most beautiful he had ever seen, flowing dark hair, piercing black eyes, tall and slender, standing before him

*****************************

The boy looked as if he were about to die from shock, as he stuttered “wha....what....wh...who are you?” Jaci smiled at him “I am the one who just saved your life, you should be more careful in these woods, and by the way, who are you? You are not from anywheres near here, or you would have been a little less foolish wandering about these lands. You're welcome by the way...”

“Detric....my name is Detric, and I am an adventurer” Jaci could not contain herself, and began to laugh “An adventurer? I could see that! Were you planning on singing the orcs to death?

“Orcs?”

“Yes, orcs...three were waiting to ambush you, and they would have gotten quite a take from the looks of you...adventurer indeed, you dress like a prince and act like a fool”

“I'll have you know, I am a prince....or was, before I left to seek adventure, and you should speak to me with some respect!”

As he said this, he moved in Jaci's direction, only to be nearly swatted to the ground once more by the panther behind him

“Jasmine! let the fool be, what is he going to do, hit me with his harp?” Jaci laughed “I am Jaci, and you are not in your kingdom anymore, and you are well on your way to finding what you seek, silly boy”

“Boy? I'll have you know-”

“Ah yes, I'm sorry, I killed three orcs and you....sang and screamed like a maid...boy, you may come to my village if you wish, or continue wandering and be killed by bandits, orcs, or whatever else wanders this wilderness”

At that, Jaci walked past him and strode south, Jasmine following close behind. After walking for a short time, she turned and saw him standing where she left him, looking confused

“well?” she called

He hesitated, then ran after her, deciding if what she said of these woods were true, he would rather be in a village than wandering alone....and besides, he was intrigued...a shape shifter? In his homeland they were tales of legend and bedtime stories....but here was a real live, and beautiful at that, shape shifter inviting him to travel with her.

For the first few days they traveled in silence, Jaci never speaking, and silencing him when he attempted conversation, not harshly, but silenced all the same....One thing Detric could not stand was silence, so he began to play his harp..which to his amazement made no music...when he attempted to speak, no words came! Jaci laughed at him, and whispered “The time for talk and music will come, but for now, silence” It was then that Detric noticed, though they moved through thickets and brush, they made no sound. He pondered this, and attempted to ask, but found he still could not speak.