a prize to bring home

He ran to a large room opposite the charging golem. Upon entering he lay a thick grease at the mouth of the room, and then using a pair of dragon wings he took his position hovering above the doorway. The Golem came through the door without hesitation and slid from the entrance into the wall at the other side of the room.

The Golem was on his back flat, the blow had stunned it but a fury was building inside the golem. Psycho quickly dumped more grease over the golem. Now directly overtop the golem Psycho spoke. 'The best way to stand between a rock and a hard place is off to the side.' The golem furious thrashed as it tried to stand again and again only to fall.

The grease was now too thick the golem could not gain enough friction to thrash so it lay on the ground helpless. If there was a golem here then there must be more to the temple than he should handle alone.

Psycho with his wits back took a look around the room. He saw a ladder going up into darkness above with a partially collapsed covering. At the foot of the ladder was an unconscious hecuva. He looked hungry, yet incredibly strong.

Psycho decided to cut his adventure short and return to the Heart of the Keep while he was still ahead. The Hecuva he would bring back with him.

As Psycho clasped the shackles upon the undead he stole much of the undead's freedom. The Shackles were just the first part of the soul binding process. The deep binding came from the gauntlet, Psycho reached into the hecuva's unconscious mind and pulled forth a rough cut gem. Psycho was able to control the undead even unconscious with the gem.

The skeleton rose and began his march back to the Heart of the Order

Questioned Motives

Claire walked into her inn room. She had managed to make ends meet by the charity given her from healings, but she was beginning to run low on money. If she didn't find more work that paid better soon, she was going to find herself back on the eastern continent. She sat on the bed with the Westbridge Post when a voice entered her thoughts, "Are you there Miss Lavender?"

Claire met with Psycho at Annie's, her mask and cowl up to keep her identity from any Vectorian patrolling the area. It thrilled her to see him again, she couldn't help but admire the esper for his brazen display of his own self. The meeting, however, was not to wax poetic, but to discuss Lithanus. Psycho had heard that he was in league with The Long Death, a fact that Claire found utterly astonishing.

'How do you know these men and their intentions?' Psycho asked.

'Lithanus we met as he ran into the temple of Lathander. He had a friend he had lost, the lady we went to locate in Myth Drannor. We offered to help him find her, and eventually we did. Outside of that, we know little of him. He had planned to go back to his homeland, but I've not seen him in many days now.' Claire removed her mask.

'So you have no relation with the party other than coinci- dence?' Psycho asked.

Claire knew how it must look - she had applied for admission into Radiant Heart and offered help to Lithanus who happened to be linked up with a woman named Maya of The Long Death - the sworn opposition of everything she wanted to be part of. Lithanus apparently had more than a case of homesickness, but of loose-lip-ness. Why he would impart all their doings to a woman who believed that death was a positive thing was be- yond her. And now, it looked as if she was in league with him all along. It frustrated Claire.

'Is there anything wrong?' Psycho asked. 'Something has seemed amiss since our first encounter. I am drawn to you and tru- ly wish to help you.'

Speak now, her mind pushed, or forever hold your peace...

notes from girls

Psycho had just stepped foot  in the Library of Athklata when the young girl approached him. Upon the sight  of her he knew what she was, and who had sent her. Sliver had always had known his flavor of messenger.   The girl was young fresh and pure As she breathed  you could see her skin flush from the fresh blood  pumping through her and into her now flushing face.

The sheer beauty of the girl could only mean that  Sliver wanted something from him.  What he would find  in the letter would likely have a request that was  above and beyond any simple matter.  As Psycho took  the message from the girl he saw indeed that the  letter was bound with a thick wax bearing the bug's  ring. Sliver's note was short and to the point.   There was an important matter that his most trusted  Knight needed his personal attention with.  Usually  Psycho assumed the patrol was in some mortal danger,  but he was not entirely sure this time.   Fighting, Killing, and the blood spilled in battle was so  permanent in the lives of mortals. Psycho's eternal struggle  had seen more blood and death than he would care to share with anyone in a lifetime.  But he was happy to  sacrifice his time to protect and serve his Order, he was  even happy to bleed for them, but some business cost  more than blood and sweat.  He would have to see  what Sliver wanted, she was his favorite and he was sure  it would have to be good. 

After the night was through he sent his reply to Sliver by  means of the messenger girl. He sent her with a letter sealed with the stamp of his Penguin Invasion ring. When she left Psycho the flush from her face was gone,  her face was colorless and  there was a sweat was upon  her brow.Psycho's response was even short than the initial  message.

'I have returned to the library.'

Visions of things to come (2)

It was over in but a couple of short minutes, but for Lotus if felt like a lifetime. Her fingers released the object and she collapsed to her knees on the floor, her body shaking and her eyes crying tears of blood which dripped to the dungeon floor unhindered.

Psycho gave no time for resting, wanting her vision while it was fresh. "Tell me," he said simply.Hatred filled the girls face for a moment before she looked up to Psycho and all anger drained away. She couldn't hate him. It was like hating a river for flowing. Stupid, to even think she could hate him for this. None of it was his fault, any more than it was hers.

Mournfully Lotus whispered her findings in broken sentences. "So much fighting... So many dead. All to change the ways... I  can't... see..." Lotus bent her head in frustration as she tried to place things that didn't fit. "A big city... So familiar... Like its ours but not ours... We must work apart to win.. We must work together but separate...A victory for us...  A look of frustation came over her features.She let out a whimper and looked up at the man. "That is your time. You must take it then. I saw stones, beautiful powerful stones of color... so beautiful... so full of energy... They were joined together somehow. Set in wood..."

Wiping the blood tears from her delicate cheeks Lotus quickly tried to stand, only to find her energy sapped. She collapsed back to the stone floor and looked up in panic. "You can't," she said urgently, her eyes widening, glowing a deep red. "You can't," she whispered again, pleading with him this time. "Too dangerous," she murmured,  her eyes wandering to the scroll that lie next to her. Her fingers trailed over to it even as Psycho removed it from her reach. "No," she murmured quietly, sick of her own pleading, but unable to stop herself. "Please, you could..." Her voice faltered and she shook her head. She knew he understood, as well as she knew that it wouldn't stop him, even if she said for certainty that this was his end Psycho would go, he would do this thing, he would seek this quest out. She looked down at the stone floor, her fingers touching the pools of blood her tears had formed. She felt his absence even though she didn't hear him leave. Looking up to the place he had been, she saw a delicate glass goblet of deep red liquid, still warm, resting in  wait for her to satisfy her hunger.

Vanishing Rose

Claire didn't know why he did it, or even if he had done it, but at their feet, in front of the cavern, was a sea of lavender orchids. Gilean cheerfully went about smelling them as Claire held her breath. She could only think of Psycho - his offering of orchids, this being one of his favorite spots - and once Gilean caught wind of it, he lost all enthusiasm for their scent.

They proceeded to Sanria's home in search of the rose she brought back with her from the Celestial plane. Gilean felt it would lead him to his past, and Claire agreed. She would support him since, to discover his past, would mean that they either would be married or wouldn't.

Claire hadn't expected Sanria to be so protective of the rose, but they had at last separated it from her. After a pensive conversation regarding its return, she and Gilean left the cavern and walked back through the orchids. For a time, I thought I wouldn't have any chance with you because of him, Gilean said, stopping for a moment to glance at the flowers. I guess I need to let that go. 'Yes. You do. He and I were an entity that was not to be.'

Claire smiled at the grateful expression on Gilean's face. They continued on their way, finally reaching the cottage and the library within. It happened faster than either of them could have anticipated. Gilean merely stared down intently at the rose and in a flash, he was gone. Inwardly, Claire cursed herself for not anticipating it might be a portal. She could only hope that wherever he was, Gilean was again meeting with Velentham and discovering who he truly was.

The Ruins of Tru

Westbridge, trading hub and recently liberated city from the Vectorians, was at the forefront of Ror's mind today. The people in this city needed its spirit uplifted. And to do so, he had proposed a theatre and school be build. And so Ror found himself in the library of the TriPower Kingdom with the map of Westbridge in front of him. He needed to find a location  for the buildings in the city and it was quite a hassle. Leaning back in  his chair, Ror contemplated the situation at hand.

It all boiled down to the same thing, didn't it? There was probably not enough space and something might have to go. But what? And if you were going to take down one thing... well there was a whole list of things that one could wish for to be improved. You could send children to school but with the gangs in the south of the city, that was easier said than done. Besides, with people beaten into poverty who could miss an extra pair of hard-working hands? Finding teachers is relatively easy. Helping people send their kids to school? Very problematic. And for the theatre, to stimulate culture in town, you need people to be able to pay their tickets. In short, this place needed jobs that paid well. In other words, economic growth that allowed the common man to rise above his current standing and send his child to school.

He scratched the side of his face and muttered under his breath about the complexity of the problem. He needed to talk to some Keepers of Balance leaders that would hopefully tell him he not to draw this out bigger than it needed to be. But what if they would agree with him? The sheer time  it would then take... and keep him away from his books....  He leaned forward. What a scary prospect.

Shaking his head, he rolled up the map and put it away. It was too soon to think about that, he told himself. Best to put it aside. After all, Sanria had said that the other leaders would take over from her and chat with him about it and that hadn't happened at all. So there was still plenty of time. And Ror was determined to use that time well.

In fact, today he would meet up with a Radiant Heart leader, Psycho, and they would discuss matters on Westbridge on Ror's request. He wanted to visit the Ruins of Tru to check out the Theatre there as Sanria had suggested. But the place could be dangerous and so he needed a little help. Getting up from his chair, and putting his coat back on, he wondered if that theatre would be similar to the one in Daggerford or not. It probably was, otherwise she wouldn't have suggested it, would she?

Ror smirked, before fastening the top button of his uniform and exiting the library.

Plans

Meanwhile in Ror's office, Ror finished the last of the intel reports. The last one informing him that one of the esper tribes had a radical leadership change by murder. Keeping an eye on what remained of esper society here was something Ror valued. After all, Vector was always nearby. Always on the mind... 

Done with his work for today, he stood up and started pacing around  his room while thinking. He found that walking around improved thought. He was brooding on something. Something which he had discussed with Aneh before, but still...

All life came from the lifestream and was energy. Magic too came from the lifestream and was energy. Espers, highly magical, consisted out of energy as well. Magitek and makou were ways of harnessing energy. In his mind he drew lines between the facts, spinning a web of relations. Everything came from the same source. So then, he thought, so are you, Kefka.

It was a devious plan, one that had worried Aneh, but Ror had good faith in it as it was in essence fairly simple. After he had acquired many pieces of Kefka's armour, he and Psycho found out there was more to them than met the eye. Kefka had somehow latched onto them. And to prevent the bloody armour from re-assembling, Ror had boxed and locked away every  piece separately and put under 24 hours surveillance. Safe and sound in the Tripower, but yet, it was a temporary fix. A final solution needed to be found. He had tried to destroy one piece, but it had been an extremely  tough deal. A dangerous deal.

But there is a way, thought Ror, Kefka's soul is not the problem, but the key to the solution. Lifeforce is energy, and Kefka's power was stolen from the espers. All I need to do, is to take back what was never his...

He stopped before the map of Cruoris and narrowed his eyes when they fell on the Vectorian Empire on the map. When I have back what you stole, Ror thought, I will annihalate Vector along with ever man, woman and child that supports it. There shall be no quarter...

A knock on the door broke Ror's concentration and the rage ebbed quickly away. Fixing his composure, he said, "Enter." And the door swung open, revealing a young recruit.

"Sir! It is I, sir, Robin? " said the boy slightly nervous.

Ror waved his hand in the go-on-go-on motion and Robin explained he  had been assigned to watching the DAQ in the basement during Rors shifts. Ah yes, thought Ror, "In case something changed, " interjected Ror. The boy nodded and Ror smiled. "Finally. " He took his coat off the peg and stepped past the boy into the hallway. "Well, what are you waiting for? Tag along and give me your report as we walk to the lab. I don't have all day, you know. "

The young recruit gulped, "Yes, yes, sir! " And hastened after Ror.

The Lost Tome...(continued)

Tsabicaran sits at his desk in his personal chambers within the High Hall. With a heavy hand he turns another page careful  to not damage it. He looks towards the parchments resting next to him and begins to scribbleupon them. "Hmmm" he says in deep thought.  He turns back to the tome turning yet another page. Hours go by and finally the last page is turned. Again looking over to the now many parchments resting next to him he makes his final scribble. He picks up the parchments and begins shuffling into order. Leaning back in his chair he lets out a sigh. "Now to begin studying them properly" ,he says with determination. Flipping thru page after page and at times going back to reread  certain pages hours pass. He slams the set of parchments down on his desk and grabs his pipe. He pushes clumps of mixed dried grasses  into the pipe and strikes a match upon his cheek. Carefully placing  the match over the opening and drawing heavy upon the mouth piece he  shutters dropping the pipe and the match. With a blank stare he begins to stand up from his resting position. He quickly snaps out of it and stomps on the match, picks up the pipe and places it on his desk. "Crovax...Psycho...I must inform them of this now." He says with a hurried voice.

step away from The Temple

After months in The Shadow Temple Psycho`s patience had been growing thin. Been growing thin. By his own admission he had killed more of these worms than the Elder Monk had led him to believe even existed. Psycho had counted his days total at 21 Legendary Veserab. Psycho told the Head Monk that it was time he travelled outside of the temple. The Elder Monk again reminded Psycho that his journey from apprentice to guardian would would succeed only when he posses the 4 virtues. He prayed to the gods to give him insight into his attaining his other virtues.

As soon as he stepped from the temple, a flood of senses returned. He received a mental note from Crovax about  a storm brewing within the Moonshae Islands. 'A stone  wall has broken open along the Moonshae seaboard you should  investigate it.' 

Psycho was ready and happy to leave the temple. The Head  monk had proven too tight lipped. On top of the Monks  and the Order Psycho also had two books he needed to concern  himself with. The Tome of Endless Pages he had given Tsaroth and now a book of Shade Magic. 

Psycho Set off from the Shadow Temple and traveled to the Moonshae Islands. He had learned much as a monk and was looking forward to putting some of it to use. By the time he approached he saw the massive storm brewing.

The Storm came on quick and strong, the sea which was normally calm and beautiful was now a dark monstrous wall of freezing waves threatening to sink any boat that would dare travel upon its hungry waves. Finding the temple wall without knowing it was there would have been very difficult.

ghost of the future

As the Morningstar was closing Psycho reflected upon a third ghost. The ghost of things yet to come.  It had bee a little over a month ago that Psycho had been called upon by Ror. His final thoughts of the night had been his most troubling.

"I require assistance investigation some elements that we want to  use for to the school house of Westbridge." 
"A Theater in the Ruins of Tru should give us some ideas."

Psycho called upon a wizard of his Order to transport the two of them to Myth  Drannor.  From the Forrest Psycho lead the way through the Stormhorn mountains and up along the the village of Tru.  Upon our arrival  several Vectorian soldiers were noted on patrol. Had Vector been in Tru before they came or were they looking for Ror? Or even  Psycho himself?! As they approached the patrol Ror elbowed Psycho.

"Will you please take care of them, we don't need Vector knowing  we were here."

Psycho dispatched of the patrol quickly and without witness. The  souls of the two men on patrol were not dark or clouded like the people he normally attacked; they were not pure hearted either. Killing did not bother Psycho unless it was someone he was close  to.  These soldiers were casualties of a war that still had steam yet to escape.

Unexpected Guest

Claire at last found the energy to walk out her front door. She sat on the stoop, looking down over the ferns and grasses, lost in thought. She considered returning to Faerun - going back to her mother and marrying Ruthivan. It wasn't the life she sought for herself, but it wouldn't cause her the pain that seemed to follow her on Cruoris. There she could simply help her own kind, carry on the genetic legacy of Espers, and be at ease. Certainly, it would mean turning her back on her charges in Westbridge - giving up on aiding those that truly needed it - but anything was better than -

The sound of footsteps pulled her from her own mind and Claire looked over to see Gilean approaching. "Hello Claire. I hope I'm not disturbing you." There was nothing to disturb. Claire invited her friend inside and at his questioning, told him what had transpired. She looked down at the pack by her side and pulled out the orchids that had been given to her by Psycho. It was over. As she spoke, she removed the enchantment that kept them beautiful and fresh and tossed them into the fireplace. She hung her head as they rapidly curled and turned to ash.

The conversation quieted and so lost in her thoughts was she that Claire barely registered Gilean's voice, You know... I haven't had a chance to see this new house of yours. Do you feel up for a tour? She found the energy to rise and to show him the rooms of her house, as well as Emalia's grave in the back.

The small cottage did not take long to show. I must admit, I'm a bit jealous, Gilean said once they had finished. The accommodations at the temple aren't nearly so nice. 'If you would like you may stay here,' Claire offered. 'I have the extra room.'

Oh, no... I wouldn't want to impose...

'It would be no imposition. Besides, should I choose to go home, you might be able to purchase it for your own.'

Well, alright then. I will stop looking the gift horse in the mouth and graciously accept your offer.

Claire parted with Gilean, leaving him to move himself into the guest room, and entered the library. She sat there, surrounded by all of Emalia's old healing books, and suddenly had reality hit her. She just gained a roommate. She let out a long sigh and shook her head in spite of herself. Broken hearts were certainly not conducive to clear minds.

One Enemy Shines

Such an eventful couple of days. Sliver had felt things a dutiful bug shouldn't have to feel, endure the stupidity of hatred, and discovered something from her clans history that was brought back home. All these emotions boiling inside caused the bug to really reflect on its feminine side, a side Sliver had long ago pushed to the side as a distraction, and well... A danger at times.

Back in New Thalos, Sliver roamed the museum of statues waiting for the messenger to arrive. It shouldn't be long. He would be curious, the messenger had simply been Sliver's way of giving time to sort out the odd storm that brewed in the bugs head. Things like the rose... Such a silly token. Who disappears and leaves a rose behind? What was that man thinking? Maybe he was just trying to get under the bug's 'skin'. But Sliver couldn't shake the feeling that something had happened in that encounter. Something was different about it? And then whispers of him leaving them from sources? By the Gods, could that mean that Sliver was right? There was hope in the man? Tingles of excitement trailed up the bugs back as the messenger arrived. Sliver read the simple words and uttered a transportation spell.

Upon arriving at the library Sliver quietly walked to Psycho. The rose previously frozen in time by the bug was taken out and displayed. Hiding true feelings that had not quite been explored, sliver speaks... Simple words, that held the weight of important decisions to come.
 
'There isss hope among the dead... One enemy shhhinesss...'

Directive Lambda

The Report from Lynk was disturbing to be sure, but the news was not out of the ordinary. With Vecotr's occupation of the city of Westbidge came the rise in crime, and filth present in the city. The level of corruption that had found its way into the city, against his efforts left a sour copper taste in Psycho's mouth. The reports claimed that this may have been the Long Death, but with the spread his efforts left a sour copper taste in Psycho's mouth. The reports claimed that this may have been the Long Death, but with the spread of disease in the minds of the public it could have been any number of crazy groups.

After Lynk had left his chambers Psycho spoke out loud to himself discussing his options. He often found it better to discuss complicated matters out loud to himself s that he could respond to the pitfaalls of his thinking. "Someone is making a display of these bodies, trying to reach someone. " "What would they gain by attacking civilians, and how could they be protected in the future? " "The people were afraid to go out at night. Until the truth was uncovered it would be hard to protect the populace. " "What would they gain by scaring people into their homes? " "The town may have other night activity around the area worth investigating. "If the actions were indeed the Long Death the Order would have to be put on Alert." Psycho thought very deeply about how to respond to any attack or ambush that Long Death may be preparing. After several hours and under consultation from his Magical Adviser Galactus and from the Steel Priest Psycho came upwith Directive Lambda.

ghost of the future part 3

"The streets need protection, and a force strong enough to stand up to vector when they return. And I am sure they will come back with  force.  Vector is supported by the agents of evil, and during the  invasion the attacks against the Radiant Heart had come most strongly, from The Order of Long Death, and Alsin. What puzzles me is that Alsin  was been publicly championed by the Tripower for his efforts. Even  though his efforts were ... killing members of my Order.  If he is  a member of the Tripower how can you say you will support us when you have no Armed force, and your Champion slaughters my Order?"

Psycho knew most of the answers before asking the questions but he wanted to hear how Ror would respond.

Ror took a moment to respond and simply said, "The Tripower does not control its citizens, they can be good or evil, and Alsin is no different. I heard that he was only defending himself from your people invading his house. And as for you support I take it you mean some kind of alliance between our forces?"

"The Order can not be allied with any who would allow the forces of evil to grow and flourish.  But if the Tripower did train some capable of fighting, their effort against the Vectorians next time  could prove a valuable asset."

The entire encounter had left Psycho wondering if the Tripower  and the Keepers really had utilitarian purposes for Westbridge.

By the time Psycho had recounted all that had happened in the past month the bartender of the Crescent Star had closed up and brought Psycho a total of four bottles of icewine to drink. He was not quite drunk, but the wine clung to his breath as he spoke to the bartender.

"You are a good man, and a damn fine bartender. I apologize for  keeping you away from your family and loved ones through the night."

"Family and loved ones! Ha! Today my friend you were the closest I got to any loved one."

Psycho dropped a satchel of platinum on the table with more coin than the bartender could easily lift.

"That is for you, and the key to the back room." The bartender threw Psycho a small key and said,  "As long as I am working consider this bar you own."

Psycho took the key in hand, stood up, and returned to Athkatla.

Clearing

It had been a day - a full day - and Claire had spent it in deep study. She ran her fingers along the script, detailing just how the elementals were formed, how they came into being, and how to pull a portion of the elemental magic into being for yourself. It was arduous and required a lot of memorization, but Claire was determined to master the incantation as soon as possible.

Gilean entered the door, his hand behind his back. Well, hello there, he greeted, drawing Claire's attention to him. I got something for you, he continued. From his back he pulled a beautiful bouquet of flowers - blues and yellows. Claire looked from them to Gilean, noting how the man was blushing. I, um, really appreciate you letting me stay with you, he said.

Claire smiled and shook her head. 'Ah! Well, you don't need to blush then. You're just being nice and thanking me... aren't... you?' That had to be all there was to it. Gilean had been too good of a friend to her for it to be anything but.

Well... yes, I did want to thank you... but I also... I was also wondering if you would... go on a walk with me.

'Where shall we walk?'

Well, we have to go there first, Gilean said. Taking her hand and vanishing the two of them in a swirl of golden dust.

They arrived in an older forest full of trees strung with lichens and moss. Birds chirped and called to one another and squirrels zipped from tree to tree. They stopped on an old marble bridge and stared out over the edge. Claire found her mind going back over the past few days. It's nice to get out of the house, Gilean said.

'I haven't been thinking about it if at all possible. Just... studying.'

I really care about you Claire, and I don't want to see you upset.

'You're a good friend, Gilean. Truly.'

It looks like there's a little path there. Let's see what's there.

Claire reluctantly took her gaze from the water as it passed under the bridge - an appropriate living metaphor - and followed Gilean to a clearing. The colors and vibrance of life nearly rivaled the plane they had visited and Claire found her spirits lifting. She sat beside Gilean in the grass and looked around until his voice drew her focus. Claire... You are a dear friend... and I care about you very much... very much... Claire waited, she had heard these words before. Something was wrong. What had she done now? I actually... care for you... more than just a friend.

Claire's head swam as Gilean kept talking. She had just parted ways with Psycho, had been considering a return home, and now this... and he wasn't an esper. She'd always pictured herself with another esper. So, I guess you could say I've been smitten for a while, he said.

It was too much, too soon. Excusing herself, Claire went back to her cottage and to the library. She desperately opened her spell books, reading, reciting, reading, reciting and clutched at her head when she lost concentration on every spell.

Location, location, location

Sitting at the Park Cafe, Ror sipped his latte. The drink was turning cold while Ror took small sips. He was not focussed on his drink, but on the words of Psycho. Ror's thoughts mulled over the ideas and promises and very soon concluded that the Radiant Heart were not just backing him up in the idea, they were giving him a carte blanche. They put trust in him on this. Which was nice of course, but didn't make things easier. For one, Psycho only mentioned the school. So it was unclear whether he supported the rest. Then again a school was better than nothing. He would need a location though. But Ror knew that was just the start. After the location picking there was the building and of course the teaching and rallying of children and grown-ups to actually come to the school and learn. Because education was important. No matter who you were or what you'd do later in life, education would help you build your self-esteem and strengthen your resolve in the world around you. It made you less gullible and less stupid. Where do I start? thought Ror. He drained his cup and placed it down on the table, closing his book with the other hand. No more reading for today. It was time to visit that floating island and ask for a reply from the Keeper's side. They were the only ones left to respond, and hopefully they would have some further ideas as well.

first question

As the group gathered closer to Mask he spoke

'I do not have much time on this plane of existence'
'I will be able answer only three questions about the temple.'

The group that had gathered around, namely Belldandy, Inigo, Psycho and Order Knights Xzar and Raistlin. The group quickly decided that they would devise the questions together  and attempt to answer some of their most difficult questions. Of all the questions that they could ask it would be difficult to boil it down to only three, but the group was quick to decide on a few.

When the group had decided the first question it was Psycho who spoke for the group.
'Okay I believe we have come to some consensus'
'Before I ask the questions I want to say Thank you for hearing our prayers.'

'The time is nearing and you are all growing wearing of the circles. I hope to bring back the hope.'

'We appreciate the help and are dedicated to freeing you from your prison and breaking the spell plague.'

'Our first question is regarding the Book of Shade Magic.'
'How do we reach the person that can translate the book?'

Mask chuckled at the question before he spoke again

'A great question, but I'm sure the answer is not what you want.'

prayers for a dying monk

The Order had clashed with the warriors of Shar protecting Belldandy's escape. Their defensive position had entrenched them within the body of the confrontation. The warriors of Shar were fierce creatures with the head of a dragon the body of a lizard and the temperament of a caged weasel. The Order fought them back but Belldandy's action must have triggered their anger; after her escape the warrior engraved. We had been on the Fields of Shar previously and the dragomen where never like this before. The fight had drained a lot of effort; yet The Order had successfully withstood the attack and had suppressed the warriors aggression. What ever she had done she was keen to have hidden the body of the unbinding ritual from the Order.

Since the battle The order had been trying to play catchup, a game they were not used to playing. The group had gathered at the temple every night in numbers for the past week. They had become stuck with something that seemed so simple. Restore the dying monk.

The dying monk would likely help them with the unbinding ritual. The Nexus Monk himself had proven less than helpful. But the dying monk fought for the words to speak to the group. The group felt the task of freeing the gods slipping from their gasp. Psycho sensed the growing tension within the group and so he ventured to Material Plane and within The Temple of Mask and knelt before Mask's statue and began to pray.

'Oh Mask, Lord of the Shadows savior of The Nexus Temple and the City of Shade please hear my prayers. When we last spoke I asked about the unbinding ritual. I have had significant difficulties preforming the ritual and my men are growing weary. I implore you to again speak with us and help us to reach the Nexus Library. We have fallen behind and without guidance I fear that our resources may not hold, and we will be forced to remove our camp within the Shadow Temple. We still maintain our pledge to free the god and restore Magic and Order to the realms again.'

A Task For The Robot

Psycho Had been busy busy busy. More to do than time to do it in. He was lucky and grateful to have the help of  his young and lively brothers. The times that was to come  would require resilience and a great deal of effort.  To prepare for the fight Psycho knew he must control  as much of the battle as he could. For this reason he  called his trusted Wizard Galactus. Galactus was always  cold and calculated and his programming would allow him  to process many languages that were far beyond the normal  mortal capacity for language. When the wizard's face materialized  only its head hanging on the wall like some mechanical  beast beheaded from a great hunt. He spoke like he always  did by projected his voice into Psycho's head.  'Yes, Master you have a task for me?'

Psycho instructed the robot by speaking aloud instructions about where in The Great Library Galactus could find information about the city of Westbridge. Information and study of Westbridge architecture could prove very fruitful in the coming task. Psycho instructed the machine to focus on information that would predate Kefkaburg and the ubiquitus history of the great city. Keep his eyes open for the a specific  scroll and Report any information that may be of use to the  Order directly to Psycho himself.  Psycho had a great deal more that still needed to be done and now he had just a bit less time to do it all in. But the wheels that had been spinning silently for the past few months began to hum and whirl loudly as the future quickly approached. He would raise the troups early for training and a healthy taste of hard work

Proskur Inn: Confrontation

Silently they crept upon the sleeping two. Silently they drew their weapons and with quick actions the knives were upon our travelers. The trap was sprung. Within second of the silent advance the two travelers arose with hidden traps of their own. A poison dart hit one of the assailants from someplace in the dark, another was bound helpless in an entanglement. Daehan had been right, there had been people following us since we first step foot on the Eastern Highway.

There had been more than we had expected. We assumed there would be two maybe three assassins. With one convulsing as the poison raced through his system and one stuck pulling at the vines twixt his legs, we were now standing face to face with three very different creatures. Sensing just how ugly the situation could get quickly Psycho drew up his sword and ran it through the entangled fool.

The three that were left were not creatures you would find around the realms. Each one was unique and dangerous in its own way. A small imp or large sprite like creature was pulsating with magical energy, glowing an iridescent blue hovered behind the others. There was a tall mix of kenku and hecuva. His feathers smelt of rotting flesh and his speed was unmatched by anything his size. And there was the apparent leader of the group hidden in Robes of Ancients. All that shown of him in the dark was his eyes. Eyes which were not eyes. Eyes that projected images rather than received them.

'Let's take them now.' exclaimed the little blue creature vibrating with excitement.

'This will stand as a warning to you, and formal notice of troubles that will follow if you continue your search.' The robed figure telepathically communicated, completely ignoring the little beasts request for our blood.

Daehan looked at me for an answer of what to do. I removed our flank by cutting the small distance between us. Aside from actions my ability to speak was stricken dead silent. The robed one was silencing my voice and Daehan's most likely as well. The rotting bird darted around the room and grabbed the Ball of Energy retreating behind his master.

'Heed this warning well for you will not get another.' The words seemed to come from the figure. But there was no longer anyone but the two travelers and two bodies left. There had been no names no purpose accept that we turn back now.