3. INTO THE KINGDOM OF THE ROHIRRIM

Jalisa was perplexed at Verin’s reference to Loki’s weakness. But when he offered her the answer, she felt as if the ground beneath her suddenly dropped away. The Drow was more crafty than anyone had given him credit for. Except for maybe his sibling. Obviously the Drowess had some clue as to the depths of his sinister mind.

As she saw the way he looked her up and down, Jalisa felt the urge to take a few steps further away from him but knew she was unable to do so. Still, when he reached forward to touch her cheek, she turned her head away from him once more letting a low growl slip past her full lips. As he waggled his finger before her, Jalisa’s eyes settled on his one good eye once more. Boring her gaze into his, she would have done more if she were able and she knew he knew it. In this form, if he commanded her to his bed, she would have no choice but to do as he ordered. She didn’t find that particular aspect all that repulsive. After all, all creatures had carnal needs. But the fact it would be done without her free will caused a conflict within her. She liked the idea of the act but hated the fact he had control over her to command it. And that conflict reflected in her glowing eyes.

”Had I known I would have to deal with this, I would have chosen an Ogre’s form. Perhaps then you would keep some distance between us.”

When he mentioned the fact she could feel the freedom he offered her he struck a nerve. A sensitive one. She would never admit to him he was right. Already she could feel her true nature licking at her and she wanted nothing more than to ease into that malevolent life once more. And she liked being able to do what ever it was she wanted to do. Without the guilt of being right or wrong about it. Clenching her jaw tight, she kept herself from saying something that would cause him to turn on her and physically put her in her place. Besides, she couldn’t argue with the truth of his words. No matter how much she wanted to make it sound as if she didn’t agree with him.

As he turned his back upon her, she stared at the back of his white head and thought of many ways to rip it off his shoulders. When he gave her the command to return to the others, and told her it was Loki she should blame for this situation, she began to think perhaps he was right. It was certainly easy to find truth in that fact. Closing the small gap that now separated them, she leaned in close and spoke in a seductive whisper to his sensitive ear. The language was older than she was and he would recognize it as her native language but what she said would remain her secret. For now. It would be only a matter of time before he began to understand it as part of this bond they now shared.

”Si nishka lamith tasting douta mamiss, shar ti wer idol wux siofme.”

A soft breeze slipped past him causing his white hair to flutter over his shoulder and when he turned he would see she was gone. As he looked down upon the Keep he would see her slip out of the shadows near the stable and walk across the inner bailey as she made her way towards the walls. Once she was settled, she glanced up to where she knew he was. Her eyes had returned to their strange blue color and he would see, from this distance, there was the slightest glow to them. When she turned back around, he wold see her conferring with his sister.

"LOOSE YOUR BOLTS!" Commanded Ceolwulf from atop the gate.

From the two tall towers on either wing of the fortress, the Rohirrim warriors released the great bolts of the ballista. Into the mist the giant shaft vanished as they flew straight and true toward the flaming eyes of the golem, then a loud cry of hundred voices raged into the night as one embedded itself deep into the thing's torso. The other flew wide and ricocheted off the wall, but the other held fast, protruding out of the golem's side. It, however, had little effect and the powerful creation continued to batter against the gate. As the Gorrinvul which comprised it continued their haunting screams, the might golem reached back with it's arms and drove them into the gate.

Ceolwulf fought to maintain his balance as the archway upon which he stood trembled from the powerful blow of the golem. The tremors were followed by a thunderous crash, and hearts sunk as all recognized the sound. The mist was too thick to see through but all knew that the gate had been breached. Soon the Gorrinvul would swarm into the keep and it would only be a matter of time before they were overwhelmed.

The lord knew time was short. They could not survive against so many, but he and his men would fight so that one might be inspired to write a song of their stand.

"LONG LIVE ROHAN!" Ceolwulf cried out at the top of his lungs.

His sword high, the giant lord stood in the mist, waving a torch so that all might see him. For a moment Ceolwulf was an inspiring beacon and all his men cried out to him, then the golem struck the gate once more and the entire archway crumbled. The torch plummeted down into the mist and vanished and all looked on in horror as the giant golem trudged into the keep as hordes of Gorrinvul scurried like rats round it's legs.


"Ye can't help him now, son." Growled the Dwarf as he held back Sighere.

The lieutenant would of leaped from the wall after his fallen lord if Othargren had not caught him. The man continued to struggle, but the Dwarf shoved him back with one of his powerful arms.

"Stand and fight man!" Ordered the Dwarf as he cleaved a Gorrinvul head in half.

The wights were starting to climb the walls to get to the, remaining warriors. All those within the court yard had already been slaughtered and only those upon the ramparts and in the towers remained. The Dwarf and Sighere had ended up on the eastern wall, which was now separated from the other due to the fallen archway. On the western wall, stood the Drowess, Jalisa, Brianna and the Druid with a handful of Rohirrim warriors.

Sighere pushed a ladder off the wall with three Gorrinvul yet clinging to it. He fell back against the crenulations to catch his breath and looked over at the Dwarf.

"Your friend is not coming." Sighere stated and laughed. "A small matter really. I never believed the king would come to our aid."


Using a spell which allowed him to see through the mist, Verin intently watched the battle and when the golem bashed though the wall, the Drow actually gasped.

"Not yet." He whispered to himself.

The companions yet had a role to play in Verin's scheme and as the Gorrinvul began to overrun the fortress he feared that they would not live to serve his purpose. Even, Jin was not meant to die at this time, he still needed her, but it seemed that they were all going to perish, and for what? For a handful of Rohirrim, such a waste.

Augustine called upon the help of the thorny vines once more and they gladly responded to his call. The vines grew to enormous size and the thorns were as sharp as any blade one could imagine. As they twisted through the Gorrinvul, they ripped and tore the creatures as though they were rag dolls. The thorns began to get infested with the torn body parts of the wights but like always, they decayed almost as quickly as they were brought down.

But even the Druid knew there was no way he could hold back the amount of Gorrinvul that swarmed the breeched gate. He would do all he could to help until he could help no more. Just then he heard the raging scream behind him and without thinking, he whirled around, bringing the fine White Oak staff with him. The amber in the ring he wore flared and as the staff came in contact with the Gorrinvul, it literally crumbled into ash.

Augustine could feel the power pulsating through him now and knew he would be able to aid the fine warriors of Rohan a little more than he first realized. Giving thanks for the gift of the staff and ring, the Druid turned to face the Gorrinvul with his friends.



Jalisa felt the gate finally give way under the Golem’s sheer strength and she knew it was now only a matter of time before the Gorrinvul swarmed the bailey an killed them all. Fighting along side the Drowess and the Dark Haired Rohan woman, the three made a formidable force but they all knew it would all be for naught in the long run.

As the Gorrinvul charged, Jalisa used her sword to defend herself and inflict death and damage on the undead warriors. Knowing she would be unable to transform, she had to fight these things in a way she knew she would not be able to win. Even now she felt the biting sting of cuts and bruises her humanoid body was being inflicted with and she cared not for them.

Black blood spewed forth all around them and the foul smelling liquid soon spattered all over the women as they fought valiantly alongside their male counterparts. Jalisa’s skill with the blade was nothing to brag about, and she certainly wasn’t as well trained as the woman Brianna, but she knew enough to keep herself from getting killed. At least for now.

As the battle raged on, Jalisa growled as the anger she felt for Verin grew knowing he could easily end this grossly one sided battle if he would just let her take her true form and finish off these abominations once and for all. But the sadistic Drow had other plans for her and she would have to suffer this fate he had chosen for her to the bitter end.

And it appeared as if that bitter end would come sooner rather than later. Using the minimal amount of magic she could, Jalisa dared not let the others know there was anything different about her or suffer the Drow’s wrath. As she turned to fend off one Gorrinvul, another got between her and the Drowess. She heard the Drowess yell a warning but it was too late. Jalisa felt the burning pain as the blade of the Gorrinvul bit into the flesh of her shoulder. Her left arm was instantly rendered useless and she screamed as she dropped to her knees.

The Gorrinvul pulled his blade from her shoulder and raised it over his head to give her the killing blow when he suddenly exploded. From behind the exploded Gorrinvul, Jalisa saw Jin rushing forward to protect the woman as best as she could. Jalisa knew she would heal, eventually, but not as fast as she needed or wanted to. Backing up against the wall, she fought off as many Gorrinvul as she could with her good hand and the magic she could use in this form.





Jin had all but forgotten the dark haired woman until she showed up next to her. When Jalisa asked her what she could do, Jin asked if she were any good with a blade. Jalisa nodded and Jin found a blade that was small enough for the woman to wield yet big enough to cause major damage. And none too soon either.

As the trembling of the walls happened followed by the sickening sound of the wood creaking and crunching, she knew what had occurred. Before the women could blink, they were swarmed by Gorrinvul. Jin used her cross bow with the exploding bolts as much as she could and in her other hand was one of the wickedly curved scimitars she used in the Queen’s chambers.

The stench of the dead and dieing Gorrinvul began to fill the air and Jin thought she would vomit again. Thankfully she was too busy to think much more about the smell. As the Gorrivul swarmed the area, Jin, Brianna and Jalisa had all they could handle making sure they didn’t fall victims to the undead creatures.

The women fought like this for a good while and while they were growing tired, they each knew the horrible fate that awaited them if they didn’t fight until they were unable to raise their blades anymore. Unfortunately, that time came all too soon for Jalisa. The women were able to keep close enough to prevent them from getting separated finding they were stronger as a single unit then individuals. The first time they let some space grow between them, the Gorrinvul took advantage and one jumped between Jin and Jalisa.

Jin whirled around just in time to see the wight follow through on his chop and the blade bury in Jalisa’s shoulder. Jin yelled to try and warn the woman, but it was already too late. As Jalisa screamed in pain, Jin fired her bolt and exploded the Gorrinvul all over the dark haired human. Rushing to Jalisa’s side, she helped the woman get propped up against the wall then stand close as she continued to fight off more Gorrinvul and protect Jalisa as best she could.

Brianna was standing with Jin and Jalisa when she heard Jin yell and Jalisa scream. Turning, she saw Jin unleash an arrow at the Gorrinvul standing over the fallen Jalisa and then run to her to aid her. Brianna defended the two the best she could until Jin got Jalisa propped up against the stone wall and then her and Jin were battling in front of Jalisa. There was no time for talk as the creatures were everywhere. Brianna was covered in black blood, cuts and bruises. She glanced back at Jalisa to check on her and then turned back to the fighting.

She was laboring under the constant attacks calling on her willpower alone to keep her going. She hadn't seen Ceowulf leap into the mists and had no idea that he was gone, she was concentrating on her, Jin and Jalisa staying alive when a particularly large Gorrinvul came at them with a large axe, swinging at her and Jin. She saw that Jin was busy with two and leapt in front of the thing, raising her sword to block the blow from taking out both her and Jin, the blow driving her to her knees. She screamed when another Rohirrim warrior came and with a swinging blow, took the head of the beast. Brianna quickly stepped out of the way of the falling Gorrinvul as he landed not far from Jalisa. When Brianna turned to thank the warrior, she felt the sting of a blade and looked down to see a blade coming through the fleshy part of her left side. As she felt the blade sliding out of her body, she turned to cut down the creature, taking it's head in the process. Her hand pressed against her side and she felt the warm stickiness of her own blood.

Looking at Jin, Brianna noticed that she hadn't seen what had happened and was struggling under three Gorrinvul now. She rushed to her aide, ignoring her side for the moment and engaged the Gorrinvul that were swarming to Jin, taking out one of the three.

"WHERE'S LAC, JIN?! DAMMIT, BUT WE NEED HIM AND THE OTHERS AND QUICKLY!!!"

She turned again, blocking a sword from taking out Jalisa as she staggered a little before throwing the beast off and her sword slicing through his head.

All seemed hopeless. The great golem laid waste to the interior of the keep. The powerful limbs of wood and undead flesh smashed and kicked down the structures before it and utilized the debris as missiles which it propelled toward the wall with great velocity. The long shaft of the ballista's bolt still protruded from the giant's side but it hardly hindered its movement except when it pressed against other solid objects, forcing the golem to realign its position.

Many of the brave Rohirrim warriors had fallen and were carried swift and true upon fiery hooves to where their families awaited them. They had fought their last battle in this world but their brothers and sisters battled on.


"NEVER!" Cried Sighere, "You'll never take me down!" The lieutenant shouted defiantly, as he gutted one Gorrinvul and hacked into another.

The warrior had turned blood drunk. He flailed away like a berserker taking down whatever crossed his path, so it was just as well that he was alone in his fight. The Dwarf took up arms on the far side of the eastern wall, nearest to the fallen archway. The Gorrinvul scraped and clawed their way to the top of the wall, and Othargren sent them back down, limbless and sometimes headless.


"Com'on ye bag o'rotting flesh! Com'on and face me!" The Dwarf called to the golem.

He could just see the giant's faint image outlined in the mist by the fires below. Fires that at least drove the Gorrinvul into the shadows. They scattered like cockroaches into the dark areas of the keep, away from the light, but the golem alone was unaffected.

"I am Othargren son of Barldren of the Orocarni! Face me!" Bellowed the Dwarf once more, but apparently his challenge fell upon deaf ears, or so he thought. Just as the Dwarf had given up on the golem, he recognized just in time that its monstrous arms were reaching back like a catapult.

"Baelin's ghost!" Exclaimed Othargren as he leapt to the side.

A large stone, about as large as the Dwarf came hurdling through the mist and struck the wall with such force that crushed the rampart and knocked out a sizable hole. Now Othargren was trapped on his own island, separated from the rest of the wall by five meter span which was a questionable leap for the Dwarf.

"Ye missed! Ye mountain o' maggots!" Mocked the Dwarf who didn't really know whether or not his taunts had any effect on the monster, it just felt good to be defiant.

For a brief moment then the mist cleared and Othargren could see across to the western wall. The women were not fairing so well, but there was nothing he could do. When the gate collapsed, it had twisted toward the western wall, offering the Gorrinvul a ladder through which they could easily climb to its top, so they were quickly being overrun. How he wished he could fly across and give them aid, but then he caught sight of something in the fog, another warrior perhaps? Othargren could not be sure and the mist thickened once more obscuring his sight before he could know the outcome.

Indeed the Dwarf had seen the upward stroke of a blade, slashing through two Gorrinvul, dispatching them with one fell swing. Jin, was first to see the warrior in the mist fighting its way to them. The silhouette was tall and strong. His sword strokes were precise, his movement smooth and as the warrior neared her spirits and heart soared as she felt that Lac'Nal had at last come for her!

A mangled body flew through the air just missing Brianna and struck the last remaining Gorrinvul of the three that had set upon the Drowess. A warrior then emerged from the mist and Jin could already see those rugged features outlined by a wild mane of dark locks but as the fighter's face came into a view it was smooth and pale. His eyes were as black as pitch and a flaming mass of golden orange hair flickered in the wind.


Before the Gorrinvul could rise, Tiphereth thrust his sword-staff through its head and wrenched his wrist in a twisting motion, cracking the skull apart. For a moment, then their was a pause in the fray, and the companions and a few Rohirrim were alone upon the wall, thankful for a few blessed moments of rest before the next wave of Gorrinvul came.

"I know not where lies the Seeker," The Deither said to Brianna, "but we must have faith in him."

Tiphereth then looked to the Drowess and acknowledged her with a slight bow of his head. Thankfully there was no time for lengthly explanations, for at the moment he had none, at least not one fit to deceive her from the truth.

He winced in pain and his lowered a hand to his abdomen. Verin's healer had offered her spells once more but despite the magic he yet required many days of rest for the wound to properly mend. Time, which apparently, his master had saw fit to deny him, but he was nonetheless thankful for the chance to be able to help his friends once more. Perhaps it was just as well that he yet retained an the vicious injury left by the Gorrinvul queen, else whatever lie concocted would not hold water. No doubt, Tiphereth figured, Verin who was a master of deception had probably considered this fact.

As the pain subsided, Tiphereth cast his black gaze upon Jalisa. He nodded a greeting as one companion to another, but there was far more to their meeting than just an exchange of camaraderie. Through, Verin's control, they were both aware of the other's enslavement and of the roles they were to continue to portray. It was made obvious to Jalisa that, Verin had called upon the service of the Phaerie for a reason that presently eluded her, but she could rest assured that his presence had an ulterior motive.

"A hard fight." Commented the Phaerie as he took note of Jalisa's useless arm, " You'd best put that wing in a sling."

Lastly, Tiphereth smiled at the druid, and humbly bowed his head. "It suits you." he stated in regards to the white staff Augustine now held.

Tiphereth then glanced down into the courtyard and spied the hazy image of the golem as it slowly marched about crushing all before it. He then looked up at the tower above them, which was accessible at the end of the west wall where the bastion met the mountain. Then he looked across and could just make out the faint outline of the other tower. The warriors that had been stationed within them to load and shoot the ballista had since descended and found their deaths, but the great crossbows were still intact for the moment.

"If we make for the tower we will have a better chance of survival." The Phaerie said, looking behind them to the far end of the rampart, "Within it's narrow corridor, their numbers count for little and at it's top, perhaps we may be able to yet sink some more arrows into the golem."

The Gorrinvul were beginning once more to storm up the portcullis, but they were also scrambling up the wall in droves. The path to the tower was fast becoming a gauntlet, but they had little choice but to run it if they wanted to live on for a while longer. They had not the strength left to survive another assault from the horde that was able to climb the fallen gate to the top of the wall and so they had to flee.

Tiphereth moved closer to Jalisa. With one arm she would surely fall and even though her death would be temporary the revelation it would cause was not in Verin's best interest at this moment so he would have to protect her.

"Stay by me." The Deithir told Jalisa.

”Tiphereth….”

The name whispered from her lips as though it were a lover’s caress. Jin thought she had finally been killed and refused to accept the fact when she saw Tiphereth. It was a good thing there was a small lull in the fighting for she would have been struck down from the sheer shock of seeing the bard once more. But her shock vanished when she saw him wince and hold his abdomen. Her brows furrowed and her eyes glanced from his face to his abdomen and she knew then she wasn’t dead. And neither was he for spectral beings didn’t suffer pain as he was.

A thousand questions raced through her mind then and she wanted so desperately to ask him all of them but there was no time. Right now, all Jin cared about was that her friend was back and while he may not be completely back to normal, he was certainly well enough to offer them aid when they needed it most. Her face broke into a beautiful smile and she nodded in kind to the Deithir.


As Jalisa’s eyes focused in on the Fey, she wanted to attack him for allowing her to become the slave to one such as Verin. But she couldn’t. Her eyes took on that rage filled red glow and she clenched her jaw to gain control of that rage. As the red slowly faded from her eyes she winced as he did feeling that same pain. Once more she clenched her jaw to keep from making any sound indicating she was in pain that way. When he told her what she needed to do with her ‘wing’, she smirked at the bard thinking his choice of words was…interesting.

”Yes. Well. I wouldn’t be in this condition if I hadn’t been tricked.”

There was double meaning in her words and she knew he understood what it was. Obviously Verin had plans that didn’t include any of these companions dieing. Yet. And in order to insure that he sent his other slave to do his bidding. How fitting.


Like the women, Augustine had been holding his own and if it hadn’t been for the staff and rings help, he would have fallen a while ago. It was a miracle any of them were still standing now as it was. But when he saw Tiphereth cutting his way through the horde of Gorrinvul, he blinked and thought he was seeing things at first. Jin had seen the bard fall. And he knew she was telling the truth for her distraught and grief were true. He could feel it coming from her very soul. So how was it he stood with them now? As he took a moment to catch his breath like the women, he noticed Brianna holding her side. Seeing the blood oozing from wound she received, he walked over to her

”You need to get that looked at Brianna. It will keep bleeding if you don’t. Then you will be too weak to fight anymore.”

Any discussion on the matter was dropped when the cries, screams and bellows from the Gorrinvul filled the air once more as they made for another charge. As Tiphereth made the suggestion, Augustine, Jin, Jalisa and Brianna looked to the intended destination and saw how the Gorrinvul were quickly swarming the path to reach the tower. Knowing Tiphereth was right, they all shared quick glances with each other and nodded in agreement. Augustine gestured with his staff.

”I shall Lead the way, Tiphereth. Jin will follow up in the rear. Jalisa and Brianna are injured and will need us to protect them.”

Jin reached down and helped Jalisa to her feet. When Tiphereth took control of Jalisa, Jin walked to Brianna and glanced at her wound then back to her face.

”Do what you can, Brianna. I will do all I can to protect you and me both. This will not be an easy task reaching the tower. If we reach it at all.”

Jin saw the resolve in Brianna’s gaze and knew the dark haired Rohirrim would not give up so easily. Glancing across the way, Jin saw the Dwarf and cast her whisper spell as she relayed their plans to him. Her voice sounded like a whisper in his ear as though she were standing right beside him.

”Master Othargren….we are attempting to reach the tower….shall I come assist you or will you be able to join us on your own?”

Knowing the Dwarf would rather die before he admitted he needed help from a dark elf, she let a small grin slip over her face. The grin was short lived as Augustine began making a path for them as they started for the tower.

As Tiphereth told Jalisa to stay by him, she grunted softly and held the sword in her right hand while cradling her left close to her body. Already the blood had stopped seeping from the wound and only an occasional dribble would flow.

”As if I have a choice, Fey.”

With a nod, she let him know she was ready to go. As the Druid began moving towards the Gorrinvul making a path, Jalisa spoke softly so only Tiphereth would hear her words.

”And here I thought you were a stronger willed being than what you turned out to be.”

As the Gorrinvul began to swarm the companions, they all began to hack through the filthy beasts as they began making the arduous journey to the tower.

Augustine held the ring out in front of him, the amber gleamed brightly, so bright it hurt the eyes of any who looked upon it. The druid pushed forward as the Gorinnvul came at them like a flood. Augustine held the staff in the same hand as the ring, he swung the staff like a weapon of war, any of the Gorrinvul it touched turned to ash instantly, the foul black dust of their ashy remains was beginning to gather on the druids robes. The creatures had no fear of the druid's staff as they continued to come.

As Augustine continued he was grateful that the staff's power, if the Gorinnvul were not turning to ash their bodies would be piling up at the feet of the group, turning to a noxious and infectious slime. They would have been unable to avoid the high chance of infection.

Augustine eyes were stinging from the black ash as he swung his staff. They were making some ground but the druid feared that it was not fast enough. Reaching into his robes with his empty hand Augustine gathered a few dark black pine cones. The druid tossed them several yards in front of him. the pines cones flashed and exploded scattering the undead beasts to the left and right of the group.

"Make haste friends they will quickly fill the void!"
The druid shouted gesturing to the area now open by the magic pine cones. Many of the Gorrinvul were on fire from the small blast, they continued to fight.

Brianna just stared at Tiphereth as he appeared out of the mist just as shocked as Jin was to see him, but just as happy. She smiled at Augustine as she took another head from a Gorrinvul, then nodded to him as he commented on her wound. There was no time to do anything about it right now and she knew it as well as he did. Right now, making it to the tower and living was more important.

When Jinn came over to her and spoke, she smiled her thanks to her but gave her a look that told Jinn that she wouldn't give up. Not now...not ever.

Following Jinn, Brianna did her best to ignore the pain in her side as well as the blood seeping down her side, front and back. She did her best to defend herself so that Jin could concentrate on her own safety, but a few Gorrinvul got past her sword arm and she was now sporting seeping cuts on her arms, but they had fallen along with any others. She was amazed at the druid's power with the staff and the pine cones. Knowing that had a very small window with which to get through before more Gorrinvul got to them, she moved as quickly as she could to keep up with Jinn and the others.

"I've me own tower." Shouted the Dwarf in response to the Drowess, and at that turned and ran in the opposite direction.

Othargren ran with determination. He had to leap across a five meter spread, which for most Humans was achievable but not so for a Dwarf. The distance was difficult to gauge in the mist but the warrior knew he had little choice. He could either await his demise, defending himself against countless attackers atop the detached portion of the wall or cross the divide. The Dwarf sprinted head on through the fog and as he reached the edge launched his stocky form into the air with all of his strength. He soared like a boulder and fell like one to. The gap was much wider than he had anticipated; more like seven meters and unfortunately the Dwarf's over compensation fell short.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Roared the Dwarf, more in anger than fear of the fall. Curse his stumpy legs!

Suddenly his descent was halted. A hand flew out of the mist and held firm the shaft of the Dwarf's wavering axe.


"Caught ya!" Cried out a wild eyed, blood spattered Rohirrim and Othargren recognized it to be Sighere.

"I thought ye dead, 'left-hand'." Grunted the Dwarf, "Give us a hand up then, we've to make to the eastern tower before these bloody undead bandits get the better o' us."

With Sighere's assistance the Dwarf made it to the top of the wall and together they flew through the mist toward the other tower. What would happen after that they did not know, but they would have a fighting advantage. The towers were tall; rising a good thirty meters above the wall itself and their bases were cut out of the mountain, offering access only from the ramparts. Too heavy and too clumsy, the golem was unable to scale the wall and thus was no threat to the two towers that sat high above its grasp. Unfortunately they were not out its range, and should the golem choose it could hurl great stones at the bases and eventually topple them, but such a task would take much effort and time. The golem was far more concerned with laying waste to the keep and so the demise of those few remaining Rohirrim would be left to the Gorrinvul.


Tiphereth was proud to see the druid was the tip of their wedge. His powerful staff which seemed to be fueled by the ring upon his fighting hand made short work of the undead creatures, but it was his natural fighting ability that truly impressed the bard. As Augustine parted the horde, the Drowess and the Deither stood side by side on the narrow rampart dispatching of those who slipped by the druid's swings or climbed up the walls after his passing. Close behind them were, Brianna and Jalisa, both wounded and conserving their strength while nestled between their companions ahead and the four remaining Rohirrim warriors who were stationed upon the western wall.

They were so close now to the doorway, just ten more strides and they would once more breath easy with a wall at their backs, but as the base of the tower came into the view they could see that Gorrinvul were not going to make it that easy for them. Several of the wights had begun to flow through the open door, there was no telling how many had already entered and were climbing the spiraling staircase but they counted at least ten from that moment on.

"Jin!" Called Tiphereth, "Lead the way up the stairs."

The druid's new found power made him formidable but in the close quarters of the tower's corridor he would find it difficult to wield his staff. The Drowess excelled in such tight spots and her shorter blades and speed would give her the advantage.

Tiphereth paused and let the others move forward, allowing the Rohirrim warriors to pass by and lend their swords to the battle ahead as he knew that he was the best choice to bring up the rear and ensure that the door was sealed.

"May the gods give you strength." Encouraged the last of the Rohirrim as he ran by into the fray.

From behind them could be heard the howls of more Gorrinvul. A great horde approached and they had to hack their way through remaining undead before they could escape into the tower. Unfortunately, Tiphereth knew of only one way to buy them time and pushing Jalisa away from him, muttered a few mystical words as he raised his free hand. A greenish blue coloured ball of fire appeared within it and he hurled the small missile though the mist and straight into the head of the golem. The magical bolt exploded, but caused little damage. It was more of an annoyance and served only to draw their attention to the menacing giant, which may have been the bard's plan all along.

The golem picked up a slab of rock and hurled it in the direction from whence came the fiery bolt. The great rock spiraled through the air and the Deithir only saw it at the last moment when it appeared through the fog!

"Aelaeydium!" Cursed Tiphereth as he spun through the air toward Jalisa.

The enormous rock hit the rampart where the Deithir had been standing with incredible accuracy. Wood and rock exploded all around and as a large portion of the wall collapsed, Jalisa felt the surface upon which she stood crumble beneath her feet. She could not run, only fall and all around her great stones able to crush her fragile from a hundred times over came down upon her!

Jalisa suddenly stopped falling. All around her, the great stones were repelled by some kind of force, some splitting apart when they struck it, but the disguised Dragoness remained protected. She stood upon a massive block which was suspended in the air, as firm as the wall itself. What supported it? The answer became clear when she looked over at the remaining part of the wall before the tower and saw the Deithir hanging confidently from a piece of the shattered rampart. His sword staff was pointed toward her, and it became immediately apparent to Jalisa that he was directing the force that held the stone beneath her and repelled the crushing rocks. It would appear that the Fey's unnatural power over the elements greatly surpassed what he allowed people to believe.

The block began to move and Jalisa drew nearer to Tiphereth. He let go of the board he held onto, but did not fall, instead he hovered toward her and landed softly upon the floating rock.

"Choice is an illusion, Dragoness." The bard told her, "Knowing when to bend one's will before it is bent by another is true strength. Remember this."

There was no mocking tone to his voice, he spoke as a teacher might to a student, but even still there was no air of superiority. He spoke to her as an equal, and perhaps this in itself might have been insult to the Dragon, but he seemed to have little fear of her even knowing precisely what she was.

As the great block carried them to the edge of the broken wall, Jalisa and the Deithir's eyes were locked. The Dragoness knew then that this outlander was old... very old. Just how long he had lingered she could not tell, but it was clear to her that he had at least existed along as she, if not longer. There was also something else about him, something that was far more than Fey, but the Dragoness could not yet piece together the puzzle.

Tiphereth assisted, Jalisa off the elevating stone and once they were back on the wall, it fell and their was a thunderous crash below. The Fey's strain then became noticeable as he relaxed after releasing the burden. Whether or not he needed to perform such a display to prevent Jalisa's fall was debatable, perhaps it was way of communicating to the Dragoness that he too possessed unseen strength, but it still did not change the fact that he like her was enslaved by Verin.

Obscured by the mist, none that battled before the tower would have been able to clearly witness what had transpired after the golem's missile struck the wall. The battle continued, but the Gorrinvul reinforcements were stopped for now. The gap caused by the golem's missile was too far for the creatures to leap, and so they immediately began to relentlessly scale back down he wall in order to scale up the other side.

Suddenly the moon seemed to illuminate the sky and a bright firey light made the night as day. The sound of horns could be heard from the south as Lac , Theoden , Skajrnir and Jornef led a force of fifteen thousand Rohirians down upon the Gorrinvul from their rear. The Rohirian's shields, polished like mirrors reflected and intensified the torches and moonlite brightly. The archers loosed firey bolts that fell like rain upon the Gorrinvul and the towering wooden monster. As horns, clashing steel and shouts echoed across the field of battle, towards the Keep.

As they grew closer to the tower’s opening, Jin, like Tiphereth saw the way the Gorrinvul had anticipated their move and sent several of the undead beasts into the tower in an effort to deter the companions from reaching the top. The Drowess growled as she realized this was going to be a lot more difficult than they had originally imagined. But then again, she should be used to it by now. After all, nothing thus far had been ‘easy’.

As she hacked away with the others she heard Tiphereth’s voice raise above the sounds of battle and penetrate her sensitive ears. A sinister grin slipped across her face. Oh yes. She would be GLAD to lead the way up the tower. After all, this was precisely what she thrived on in battle. And she would be more than happy to take her anger out on these despicable creatures.

With a shrilling battle cry that sent a chill down the spine of anyone in ear shot, the Drowess rushed the tower door and began ascending the steps as she fought off the Gorrinvul that lay in wait all along the towers steps for them. Tiphereth was right, her slight frame, smaller blades and guerilla like fighting tactics were exactly what was needed in the tight confines of the towers steps.

She met axe, spear, blade and fist head on. Allowing the blood lust of the fight to flow through her veins, her years of intense training took over. Her blades sliced through the air and the sound of metal striking metal echoed through the narrow stairway. The final cries of Gorrinvul mingled with the sounds of battle as she fought her way up the stairs. A few of the Gorrinvul’s hits got close enough to put cuts, scrapes and bruises upon her body, some of them would definitely require stitching, but she ignored them. Her goal was clear and failure was no option for her now.

All along the steps, the bodies of the fallen Gorrinvul littered the stone. Many of them already decaying into the thick, black, oozing mess she was all too familiar with after spending time in the Queen’s chambers. Hopefully Augustine would use his staff when he saw that even in death, the Gorrinvul caused a danger for her friends.

She had just reached the top of the tower and was fighting off the last of the Gorrinvul in the tower when she heard the sound of horns in the distance. Turning to glance out the window behind her, she saw the night suddenly illuminated like daylight. Through the sky she saw the many fiery bolts whiz across the expanse and rain down upon the Gorrinvul. Lac’Nala! He had returned! And from the sounds of it, with reinforcements! Thank the Goddess!

Jin’s elation was cut short. Hearing a noise behind her, she whirled around just in time to hold her blade up and prevent a Gorrinvul from taking her head. His strike was so forceful that she stumbled backwards and felt herself teetering on the edge of the top step. Flailing her arms the steady herself, she had just about recovered when he came at her again. Jin’s eyes grew wide and she braced herself for the hit. Feeling the wind violently knocked out of her when his large frame hit her, she felt even more pain when she fell back onto the hard stones of the tower steps. They tumbled like rag dolls back down the curved staircase.

As they tumbled, Jin had enough sense about her to cast a spell. When they finally stopped, the Gorrinvul lay dead a top Jin and the Drowess was unmoving and her breathing was barely noticeable. Already the Gorrinvul’s body was starting to decay and cover her in the black ooze that was their blood.






As Jalisa felt the stone and wood beneath her give way, she screamed out in both pain and helplessness. There was only one other time in all of her long life she had been in this sort of situation and that didn’t bode well for her either. Except Loki had found her and healed her.

When she felt herself suddenly stop falling yet saw the destruction around her. Even saw the way some of the rock and debris were repelled away from her and destroyed before they could touch her. Kneeling on the block that was somehow suspended by a force she could feel yet couldn’t place it’s origin, she glanced all around her in fear it would stop at any moment.

As she aw Tiphereth she suddenly realized what was happening and knew why she felt the power but didn’t know what it was. There was much more to this Fey than what met the eyes. When he came to her and spoke, she listened to what he said. As he directed the hovering block and his eyes locked onto hers, she saw, for the first time, the depths of his soul. He was ancient. Older than her, most likely. But there was something else about him she could sense now, Something she had not sensed before. He was not all he seemed to be. And she gasped. Their current Master couldn’t have known this, could he? And he would not know now if she could help it.

Once she was back on a solid setting that wasn’t floating, she saw the strain that had been dealt to the Fey. Weak though she may be, Jalisa was not so weak she couldn’t cast spells of her own. And she could still feel that nagging pain in her abdomen now that she was close to him once more. Using her good hand, she lopped it around the small of his back and clenched her jaw as she slowly held her injured arm out ahead of her.

With a word in her native language, an unseen force ripped through the swarming Gorrinvul tearing them to shreds creating a path down the rampart towards the tower. Using the strength none knew she possessed, she helped the Fey as they made their way towards the tower. They were just about half way there when she heard the unmistakable sounds of horns. Daring to glance over her shoulder, she saw that night had become day and a rain of fire was dropping in on them from above. Holding her hand over her head and crying out in pain but refusing to drop her arm, an unseen shield formed around them and protected them from being hit by the arrows that descended upon them and the Gorrinvul.

”The Ranger! He’s finally returned! Took him long enough!”

Once they made it into the tower and Tiphereth slammed the door shut, she leaned up against the wall and held her good hand out while she cast yet another spell making the door impenetrable. Looking up at the Fey, she panted as her breathing became labored and when she pushed off from the wall, a dark stain was left behind showing her wound had opened up yet again.

”Come on. Let’s get up there before I refuse to take another step. And I can be quite stubborn when I want to be. After all, I’ve hand hundreds of years to perfect that trait.”

Gone was the accusation in her tone and while she didn’t particularly think him as an equal, she did respect him more than she had in the past. And rightfully so.

Leaning lazily against the small, solid door the bard wearily threw back his head and sighed. A twitching, grey hand to his side caught his eye and he casually reached down and grabbed the arm that had been crushed in the closing of the door. He twisted the appendage, wrenched it free and discarded it into a dark corner like common trash.

He shook his head and so much as rolled his eyes at, Jalisa's impatient comment to the ranger's untimely arrival. At times her attitude was very much to be desired. 'Must be a cultural thing', he considered, although in his time the Deithir had known Dragons and their demeanors were often more grand in nature. Perhaps, Jalisa's persona was her interpretation of human behaviour? Who knew? Anyway, the bard was not about to waste anymore time analyzing the Dragoness at this point in time. He was hardly qualified to sit in judgement of the ancient species, but didn't, however, doubt she could be stubborn. This was a trait he had commonly observed in her kind but he was very patient, which often countermanded such behaviour.

"I shall follow. Lead on." Tiphereth told her.

Truthfully he would of rather stayed in the quite dark at the tower's base, but there was need. The door was designed to stave off anything shy of a battering ram and nothing of such weight existed at the top of the wall, plus the Dragoness' spell would ensure it withstood the battering of rocks as well.

As they cautiously made their way up the narrow winding staircase, the handy work of the Drowess was evident. The bodies of the Gorrinvul that had lied in ambush were strewn about. In time they would melt away like wax figures but for now their slowly decaying forms were a minor hindrance.

After their ninth revolution of the tower, they could see the silver rays of moonlight beaming through the entry way to the top of the tower. A couple of startled Rohirrim warriors turned and drew their weapons as Jalisa rose up from the stairway, but they quickly recognized her as a friend and sheathed their swords just as fast.

On the other side of the ballista, they found the Drowess and Brianna sitting against one of the wheels with the Druid kneeling over them and tending to their wounds. From what Augustine, explained, Jin had taken quite the knock on the head when she took a tumble and appeared to be half asleep as she sat propped up against the wheel of the ballista.

Tiphereth remained silent and walked over to the side of the tower and looked over the valley that lead up to the now open gates of the keep. The mist had begun to thin and he could see the Riders of Rohan had engaged the Gorrinvul and were making their way into the courtyard where the great golem continued to rage. The expert horseman would not be outmatched by the undead bandits and the bard knew it would only be a matter of time before the Gorrinvul were wiped out and with their queen dead they would cease to regenerate and rise again. It would be the end of them, but in order to ensure their demise the golem had to be taken down for commanding it was their king. He too had to be destroyed.

The three remaining Rohirrim warriors cheered loudly from the tower as their countrymen stormed the keep. They anxiously looked toward the stairway and it was obvious they desired to join them in battle, but the wall was yet overrun with the wights.

"Steel yourselves my brothers." Advised Tiphereth, "You have more than honoured your families this night. Rest and help me with this machine. Perhaps we can put a few more bolts in that golem."

Jalisa felt weary. Her body ached, not including the pain of her shoulder, and as she walked up the stairs, she saw toll the fighting had taken on the others. The Drowess, while she had done a superb job of clearing the tower, sat dazed at the base of the wheel. The dark haired Rohirrim woman was nursing a nasty gash in her side as well. The Druid was tending them but even he looked worn down now. This had been a long, hard fought battle and the casualties were still being counted.

As the Dragoness eyed the contraption she shuddered knowing how much damage that thing could do to her in her true form. While it would be difficult to bring her down with it, it wouldn’t be impossible. The right warrior at the right time could skewer her like a rabbit on a spit. The last thing she wanted to do was use it but she knew the Fey was right.

Glancing over at him, she sighed annoyingly then walked over to the weapon. The remaining warriors who had made it into the tower with them gave her a skeptical look. Furrowing her brow, she looked around as well.

”It will take just about all of us at this point in time to maneuver these contraptions. The Drowess and Rohirrim woman are no longer part of the equation so it is left to those of us who can help. So do as the man says. Get to his weapon and let’s see if we can bring that hideous creature down so your comrades can finally rid the land of these beasts once and for all.”

Jin was vaguely aware of what was happening around her. Her vision was blurred and everyone sounded as if they were talking to her at the end of a very long, very solid tunnel. The throbbing in the back of her head wouldn’t go away either. She heard the sound of battle but she couldn’t find the strength to lift her hand to do much of anything. In fact….all she wanted to do was sleep but Augustine refused to allow her to sleep.

Several times she viciously cursed him in her native language when he shook her to keep her awake. If the times had been different he would have found some humor in her empty threats but as it was, he would have to wait until another time to exchange barbs with the Drowess.

When she saw the fiery locks of the Deithir ascend from the steps behind the dark haired woman Jin tried to blink her vision so she could see more clearly. A small smile eased over her features then. She was so glad to see Tiphereth again. But then she remembered the last time she’d seen him and her smile faded. As the many questions began to form in her mind the throbbing in her head increased and she could do nothing but close her eyes tight and groan.

Sleep…..that’s all she needed.

Blessed.

Black.

Dreamless.

Sleep.

Brianna was relieved they'd all made it to the tower, but was concerned about Jin. She waved off Augustine, telling him to see to Jin and her head. She knew the dangers of sever knocks on the head....she had a few in her travels, especially when she'd been a servant for that short period of time. She knew her own wound was dangerous as well, regarding the bleeding but was still more concerned with Jin. She'd never seen the Drowess like this before and it scared her.

"See to Jin first, Augustine. I will help you to keep her awake until you say otherwise."

Brianna chuckled at the colorful words that came from Jin whenever the druid shook her awak. Even though she didn't understand Jin's native language, she could just imagine what they meant. When she noticed Jin slipping from them, she moved using the wall at her back to support her as she got to her knees. She shook Jin's shoulder, forcing the drow to wake.

"Jin!!! I am sorry my friend, but you cannot sleep yet. Not yet."

When she saw the Jin's eyes only fluttered, she shook her head, thinking. Looking up again, she shook her harder, groaning at the pain that shot through the hole in her left side from the wight's sword that had pierced her.

"Jinn!!! Lac will not like you sleeping when there is more fighting to do!! Now...wake up!!!"

She sighed in relief when Jin's eyes opened, glaring daggers at her as a stream of what could only be curse words flew at her from her mouth. With that, Brianna slumped against the wall, whispering to Jin.

"You must stay awake, Jin.....for Lac, you must stay awake."

Loss of blood had made Brianna weak, the multiple slices on her arms making it worse as she stayed there, facing Jin while she rested against the stone wall. She knew what Jin was feeling.....wanting desperately to just go to sleep herself. It was a battle, but she needed to make sure that Jin stayed awake while the druid worked on her.

Augustine heard well Brianna's, words and he acted swiftly. He went to Jin's side, her eyelids were heavy as sleep was claimnig her bruised head. The druid placed a hand on her head and remembered the old books, the ones he had studied every day at the monastery by the lake, he mouthed the words silently as if the he was reading from the old books and a flood of warm power washed down his arms and to his hand and onto Jin's weary head. Different magics have a different signature and although Jin had drank the Nymph's water that Augustine carried before the druid had never used his own healing on her. As the spell connected with the drowess magic was being exchanged back and forth subtly between the two beings, Augustine could feel her power and in a strange way it was very intimate.

She was only in need of a little boost, for the drowess was a formidable woman, the druid could feel her own magic speak to him, letting him know when to withdraw his spell. Augustine kept his power in his hands and turned to Brianna.

"I can see to your wounds Brianna." Augustine said, his healing power still lingered around him, it swirled and danced in his hands like a small whirlwind. The druid could see that the warrior woman was fading too, her arm was slick with lost blood, she had pushed herself to the point of collapse.

Augustine took her arm, it was wet and smelled of blood, the wound at her side was soaked as well. The druid closed his eyes and set a hand over her wounds, his power traveled from him to her, Augustine could sense the damage even though he could not see it all, there were many cuts and gashes and a serious wound at her side. Remembering the old brightly illuminated books he began to silently read from his memory again. Briana's arm jumped in his hands as his healing penetrated her torn flesh, his magic swam through her wounded skin it began to knit, the open cuts sought their other ends and pulled together. It was not long before the bleeding was done and a good color was returning to her bruised and damaged flesh.

There was always more to healing a wound than just the troubles of the flesh, Augustine's magic was kind to the mind too and Brianna would have a sense of some rest, a small sense of returned strength.

Augustine's healing ran it's course and left his hands, the druid had used a good deal of his magic this day and a strong weariness was tugging at his mind now but he stood and was grateful to be at the tower and no longer among the throng of Gorinnvul.

The Deithir's hand slipped to his abdomen and pressed slightly against his painful wound. It ran deep, deeper than one could imagine and how it sapped his strength. He could have maneuvered the ballista single handedly, albeit slowly, but the toll of the battle had been a heavy one. Unfortunately, Jaslia was right. They would need everyone to move the giant crossbow into position.

The three, Rohirrim jumped at the blue eyed woman's order and together they moved the ballista into position. It seemed then, that two of them seemed to be skilled in the operation of the weapon. Lexan, the older of the two knew well how to aim the bow and began to turn the wheels that raised the back end of the contraption, adjusting the angle to that the downward trajectory targeted the golem. The other man, Rulvik assisted by his country man turned a crank that drew back the bow, then they with the Deithir's assistance loaded a giant bolt.

Down below, the Rohirrim were beginning to engage the golem in battle. The powerful creature swung it's giant arms like pendulums, bashing horse and rider aside as it moved unhindered toward the inner bailey.

"Now!" Commanded Lexan when he spied the golem in his sight.

Rulvik released the lock and the giant bow snapped and propelled the enormous stake into the back of the giant. The golem lurched forward but did not fall. Instead it's arms reached back in a physiologically way that would be impossible for a living, Human and wrenched the bolt from its body, then as if it had now just become aware of the other bolt impaled within its side pulled that one free as well. The creature then reached down and hefted on of the giant bolts up with one hand, like a spear. It reached back and launched the bolt through the air. The giant javelin struck the tower and penetrated it midway down. The vibrations of the hit could be felt at the top but the tower held firm.

The golem then lifted the other. It reached back and hurled the bolt with even more velocity, this one flying straight and true toward the top of the tower.

As the bolt flew towards the tower, a dark shape crossed over the moon and a mighty roar could be heard echoing across the field of battle. . Loki banked then rolled and dove with his talons out stretched. He snanchted the bolt from the sky a mear foot from the top of the tower. Twisting it in his mighty talons, Loki snapped the bolt in half like a twig and dropped it harmlessly upon the ground. He the flapped his wing, circled the tower and landed with wings outstrecthed atop the tower, he stretched his neck and roared . Inhaling he filled his lungs, then looking down upon the Golem and Gorrinvul Loki exhaled a stream of fire. Then leaping from the tower he began to pass back and forth along the keep's wall spreading a tounge of fire over the Golem and the Gorrinvul.

More than once Jin threatened to rip Brianna’s tongue out and give it to the hounds to feast upon, along with some other nasty things, as the dark haired woman kept insisting she stay awake. But when Brianna told her she had to stay awake for Lac’Nala, something deep within Jin grabbed a hold of that and wouldn’t let go. Even as Augustine knelt before her and laid his hand on her head to help heal her, Jin remained focused on Lac’Nala. Until she felt Augustine’s magic begin to flow through her. She could do nothing but gasp softly then.

As Jin felt Augustine’s magic flow through her body, healing her wounds and helping her regain strength, he was indeed correct to think the exchange of the magics was something….intimate. The Drow are very passionate beings, particularly the women. Sexuality plays a huge role in their lives. Not just in the games played between the sheets either. Every aspect of their training is based on their sexuality. Particularly their magic. They learned, a millennia ago the raw power found in doing such a thing. Augustine was sharing a very sacred, and intimate, part of the Drowess.

As his healing powers brought her back from the verge the endless sleep, Jin’s eyes locked onto those of the Druids and it was there, at that moment, Augustine felt her presence in a way that would forever be with him. And forever attract them to each other in more ways than one.

As the Druid moved onto Brianna, Jin watched him intently then slowly pulled herself back to the things that were happening around them. The ballista was being forced into position so they could fire at the Golem. When Jin looked up at the group maneuvering the weapon she saw the magical aura that surrounded Tiphereth she was always able to see and noticed there was something….different about it. Furrowing her brows, she then saw Jalisa as the smaller woman became visible from behind a Rohirrim who stood blocking Jin’s line of sight. What she saw now made her gasp. Why didn’t she see this before? Because she’d not just had the sort of experience she had with Augustine. The exchange with the Druid heightened her senses as though they had physically shared their bodies.

Blinking, she slowly got to her feet and watched, stumbling slightly as she felt the tower tremble as the bolt was thrown at it from the golem. Her hand gripped the familiar stock of her cross bow. What ever Jalisa was, she wasn’t Elf or human. While she had the characteristics of being Elven, there was much more to her than what the naked eye could see. And while she had helped the group, that didn’t mean she was just waiting for the right time to strike. And Jin would be ready for her.

Just then a deafening roar split the night air and Jin felt her heart jump to her throat then fall to her feet before it returned to her chest and beat wildly. Her whispered words filled the tower as she looked around, wide eyed and frightened, at everyone who had ceased moving when they heard the roar.

"A dragon...."

As the Rohirrim who knew how to operate the weapon properly came up and took over the maneuvering of the thing, Jalisa made a mental note of them. These men would be the ones she would have to keep a careful eye on. She also looked to see where the weakness of the weapon was from this angle. Perhaps she could find a way to disable it from in here so it couldn’t do any more harm once they dispatched the golem.

Just then Jalisa felt the tower rumble and she almost lost her balance. She was getting ready to help the men again when she stopped what she was doing and took a few steps back. Her blue eyes slowly glanced up towards the towers ceiling. As Loki flew in and grabbed the bolt just moments before it could hit the tower, Jalisa looked as though she could see every aerial move he was making even though she was inside the tower.

As the roar penetrated the night and drowned out the sounds of battle, Jalisa swallowed visibly. As she stood perfectly still now in the middle of the tower, her eyes slowly lit on Tiphereth. Did he know what Verin’s plans were? Did he send the bard to this tower to make sure the ballista’s would be manned so BOTH dragons could be brought down? She would be able to take true form at Verin’s command and while her shoulder was hurting now, it would not hinder her abilities in her true form. In fact, she would heal rather quickly then.

But did Verin know that? And if so, was this all a part of his scheme to use her to get to the green dragon that now landed on the tower’s roof before he took off again and started flying over the Gorrinvul to burn their miserable, undead, decaying bodies?

Already she could feel that hold Verin had on her tightening even more and she could do nothing about it. She could turn and leave this tower but Verin would not allow her to go very far. He would instantly turn her back to rejoin the others. So she stood, like a statue, and waited, dreadfully, for the command she knew was going to be uttered to her. And then….

She would no doubt face her last days in this world.

Leaning over a clear pool of water, Verin admired the right side of his face and scowled with disgust as he twisted his head to look upon his marred half. A constant reminder of his impetuousness among other things. His ear caught the sound of a distant a roar and he quickly rose and cast his eye westward from the cliffside. A slight smile tugged at the side of his mouth, in a fashion not unlike the Deithir, or was it the other way round. The connection between the sorcerer and his minions was strong. So strong that he could he feel their emotions, even know their thoughts if he concentrated hard enough and stress made them loud. The Dragoness' thoughts were like thunder in Verin's ears. So, audible was her raging reverie that the Drow need not even focus upon her to know her mind.

"Dragons." He mused to himself, "Such fervent creatures."

No. Now was not the time to act. Not when Loki's wits were so sharp. The old Dragon would be expecting a head on attack and such was not his way. He had performed his task as, Verin had anticipated and the path of the companions was clear all the way to Oron_D_Narr. There is where the final struggle would be. There was the heart!

Verin lifted his face toward the northern wind, delighting in her cool caress through his ivory locks. How pleasant to have all unfurl according to plan, and now the black king also had two knights at his side. How he would delight in unleashing them upon the unsuspecting companions, the expression upon the face of his sister alone was worth the price of an eye.

First things first, however, he had to cool that fiery Dragoness.


Tiphereth instinctively ducked down as the great dragon flew over head and caught the deadly bolt. Rising to his feet, his hair blowing in the wind it's great wings stirred he studied his quarry. Verin was indeed ambitious to seek to destroy such an ancient and powerful creature but luck it seemed was on the Drow's side and that alone could allow the sorcerer to achieve what he desired.

As Jalisa stood at the edge of the tower, her blue eyes boring into the titanic green dragon before them she felt the Deithir's powerful arm brush her shoulder.

"Our master tells me that you needn't fear your last days, yet." He whispered to her.

It would seem that the Deithirin bard was a conduit for communication, probably only because they were similar creatures.

"He certainly is a big one." Commented Tiphereth as he leaned against the side of the tower and studied the Dragon like one might regard a rare bird on exhibit.

Jalisa had noted how quickly Tiphereth had began to adopt, Verin's traits and this made her wonder whether she too was beginning to change.

Watching the Gorrinvul and their golem burn and recalling how easily the great Dragon dispatched of the ballista's bolt, Tiphereth considered that Verin was wise not to attempt an all out assault against such a monster. Killing such a creature required subtlety of the sort that a Fallen Fey, a Black Dragon and a Drow excelled at. But wait! Something troubled the Phaerie. He flipped his hair quickly glancing backwards over his shoulder and caught sight of the Drowess staring at he and Jalisa rather conspicuously.

Tipereth continued to watch the Dragon, Loki. Could she suspect? If so, how? His fears traveled back to his master and Verin considered their validity.

"Jin, Jin, Jin" He muttered to himself, becoming angrier each time he said the name, "You are an ever present thorn in my side! What you need is..."

Verin paused and took a cleansing breath then somewhat calmer had a revelation, "... what you need is to forget. That's it."

The Drow quickly drew a small ornate grimoire from his satchel and hastily flipped through the pages. Then he found what he was looking for and smiled sinisterly. He then reached back into his pack and procured a rare assortment of components, so rare in fact that it pained him to waste them so on such a spell but their use was necessary. Speaking the words from the spell book then he dropped the items into the pool of water at his feet and cast his spell. He wove it through his minion, a creature that could harbor such an incantation for he was Fey.

Tiphereth could feel the spell surge through his body and knew its power. It awoke his primal nature and demonic desires turned his aura seen by the Drowess' eyes to a bright red and she could not look away. Her heightened senses which had been stimulated by the Druid's magic now put her at a disadvantage. She was irresistibly drawn to the Fey as a man was charmed by the desires of a Dryad.

While all were entranced by the immense form of the Dragon that loomed over them, Tiphereth by his master's will, turned and approached the Drowess. His strides were purposeful and the closer he drew, the more the lust within her grew, until he was upon her. They embraced and the tall bard drew her lips to his. As they kissed amidst the screams of the burning wights that flickered below them in the darkness, Jin's thoughts slipped away. Her suspicions followed and then as the Deithir pulled away and walked back to Jalisa even the kiss seemed to be but a dream. Verin's spell had tainted and used what existed in all Fey and now his sister's insights were no longer a threat. She would not remember anything that occurred in that moment prior to the kiss and even her theories had been taken from her.

"Forgive me. I know not what came over me." Tiphereth had said apologetically before he walked away and so intoxicated was the Drowess that she began to swoon but was able to catch herself. By the time her head cleared, the Deithir was on the other side of the ballista and Jin could not easily tell dream from reality.

As Tiphereth returned to Jalisa's side he would not acknowledge her surly gaze. "Jin is under control for the moment." he whispered to her, "In the future we must make an effort to disguise our essences as well or else, Verin will be very displeased."

Augustine watched as the great green wyrm sailed through the night, the great green scales of the dragon reflected even the smallest bit of light from the battle below. The handsome creature crossed the field of battle, sailing effortlessly over the mass of Gorrinvul and took to burning the foul creatures with it's fiery breath. Even the great golem tasted it's breath, the Gorrinvul squealed and howled as many of them burned but they did not seem to fear the great wyrm.

Augustine's eyes were drawn above him as the dragon turned in the skies there, it was then he could see Tiphereth approaching the Drowess. The Deither came to her, a strange look in his eyes, gone was his pale, blank mask, replaced now with a look of purpose, his eyes looked upon Jin like she was prey. Augustine knew this look, it was a drow quality, in this moment the Deither appeared so different. It was more than a change upon the Deither's countenance, although the druid's mind was taxed from use of his magics Augustine could sense Verin's black influence.

"No!" Augustine shouted as the Pharie's lips touched upon Jin's, the spell was set, the druid shook his head as if he had suddenly tasted something foul, something rotten. The druid let a small breath of his power slip from him, it drifted to the Pharie, a small spell meant to tell if one was carrying another's magic, meant to to determine if one's will was theirs or another's.

The instant the spell fell upon the Deither Augustine sensed the Drow sorcerer, somewhere not far from the battlefield the puppet master sat. A channel was now open as these magics mixed and were strong upon the different beings at the tower. Augustine was still feeling the strange effects his healing created with Jin and the fading connection it had created, even as the Deither placed his betraying kiss upon her and now his magic was traveling through his black eyed friend, the druid was now like an antenna. Augustine readied his weary mind for the coming unpleasantness as his magic sought out and found Verin's allowing the druid to speak to the Drow as if they were face to face.

"How long do you think that these good creatures will entertain your lies Verin? They will not remain under your will for long, I will restore their hearts and return their minds with all my power." The druid said doing his very best to hide any sign of his weariness.

Augustine's spell casting had made him aware of Verin's influence over Tiphereth and Ssinjin but for the moment the druid was completely ignorant of the Drow's sway over the woman Jalisa and her dragon form.

Jalisa gasped slightly as she felt Tiphereth’s arm brush against her shoulder. The pain was subsiding slowly and while the wound form the Gorrinvul was still a bit tender, she gasped from the fact she could almost feel the connection with Verin pulsating through the Fey. Her eyes snapped to his dark ones and she hissed through a clenched jaw.

”I needn’t fear my last days EVER if you had not relinquished your hold upon that which you possessed.”

While she knew ultimately the blame lie with her for losing the precious jewelry, she refused to allow herself to do that. It was much easier to place blame on another and vent that anger at them than it was on her own self.

As the Fey leaned against the tower and studied the large dragon overhead as Loki continued to eliminate the Gorrinvul, Jalisa furrowed her brows and noticed he had certainly picked up characteristics of their master now. Lovely, she thought. Just what I need right now. Two males with similar personalities. Now I know why dragons live primarily solitary lives. Keeping her voice low for his ears alone, she gave him some possible insight as to why she was really dreading this whole….showdown.

”Of course he’s big. He’s green and he’s male. Perhaps you see my quandary now. He already has the upper hand as far as size and strength are concerned and trust me that WILL come into play before it’s all over with.”

As she watched out the window once more as Loki flew overhead, she forced herself to push the inevitable confrontation to the back of her mind. It was far better to forget about it for now. When the time came, she knew the outcome of such a thing. No matter when that would be. But it wouldn’t be an easy defeat for her. No. Self preservation would come at a price. A very high price.

One she would have to pay.

Something drew her attention to the Fey as she felt Verin's presence suddenly increase. As Tiphereth walked to the Drowess and kissed her the way he did, leaving Jin stunned, Jalisa quirked a brow. She then noticed the Druid's reaction to what was taking place between Tiphereth and Jin. That was so very unlike the Fey she knew something had caused the change in him and the Druid had picked up on it as well. When the bard returned to let her know what had occurred, she glanced at the Drowess before she looked to Tiphereth again and spoke softly.

"Jin may be under control but the Druid is aware of something amiss. Leave him to me."

Jalisa made her way to Augustine and while she noticed he was in a trance like state and spoke to Verin. This was certainly not going to bode well if the Druid knew what was afoot here. When he was done speaking to Verin, she stood directly before him and held his gaze with her own. Her eyes took on a strange look and she spoke softly to him in a soothing voice as she used her influence over him.

”My brave friend, you have outdone yourself this day. Take a moment to rest your weary mind and worry not about trivial things that plague your mind. All shall work out as it is meant to. There’s nothing here but tired companions who have traveled a long way and fought against a terrible enemy. There is nothing but victory for us now. We have the mighty dragon on our side. Rejoice in a hard fought battle that will come to an end soon enough.”

As she spoke in this way to him she took his mind off of what had just happened and cloaked Verin’s presence from the Druid. Like Tiphereth had done to Jin, Jalisa worked to get Augustine to forget about what had just taken place and make him think he was nothing but tired and needed to rest as she had suggested.

The moment Jin saw Tiphereth turn towards her she felt a deep, carnal need rush forward. It was so intense she gasped. Her eyes blazed red as he approached and she could see the change in his aura. Knowing there was something amiss, she was in the process of bringing her beloved cross bow up when the Fey reached her and drew her into his arms, kissing her as though he were her starved lover.

Instantly Jin reacted to the kiss and her crossbow dropped from her grasp as her arms reached out to wrap around Tiphereth as she pressed her needful body against his. The spell Verin cast upon her was instantaneous in its effect and any thoughts of caution and suspicion she had were taken from her. All she knew was that she HAD to have the Fey for herself. But even that drifted away from her as the kiss continued. All too soon the kiss was broken and as Tiphereth released her from his hold, Jin staggered slightly. Finally catching herself before she could fall, she blinked and looked around.

Why had Tiphereth just apologized to her? Why was no one concerned about the dragon flying about outside laying waste to everything there. Wait. The dragon. Lac’Nala was out there with that thing. NO! Jin rushed to the window and looked around frantically for the Ranger. Where was he? Had he fallen prey to the dragon already?

"...my power." Augustine heard himself trailing off in his mind, how tired he was! It took a good amount of strength to call forth the thorns, wield the staff and ring and heal his friends, his mind was fuzzy and his body was stiff from battle.

Jalisa was in front of him now, he could not look away from her strange eyes, they commanded him, he withdrew his magic from Verin and was compelled to sit and rest. Her eyes were like water lit by the full moon or the glitter of a rare gem.

"Yes, perhaps I should take a moment to rest, I should meditate, it has been some time since my last..."
The druid was still speaking, he heard his own words as if he were outside of himself. His connection to Jin was still present, an element of her magic was speaking to him, even though she was lost in a spell of her own it tugged at Augustine's mind. Augustine could sense that the Drowess was not herself but he could not determine why. If someone had used dark magic on her he did not know who, the knowledge he had only moments before was now lost to him due to Jalisa's gaze.

Regardless of the identity of the one who was poisoning minds, Augustine could sense the threat and he stopped short of sitting and spoke calmly to Jalisa.

"I will take my rest now." The druid said and drove his white Oak staff into the earth at his feet. As it struck the soil the druid vanished from sight, the staff's magic carried him in an instant to an unoccupied tunnel beneath the keep. There the druid felt better, his mind was more clear but he had already forgotten seeing Verin in the eye of his mind. Augustine sat in the dark and began to meditate, to charge his magic to it's full strength in an effort to free his friends from the mysterious influence that ruled them now.