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Eclipse eyes could not meet gaze, "If it happens that the threat of me attacking a comrade becomes so great that it is imminent. I ask you strike me down, though I do not ask for mercy in doing so. Simply be effective." His words rang out coldly, as if their meaning was best known to these two men... well dragon-human and undead creature which was once an elf.

Chapter 10: The Draconic Prophecy

Shadow had remained guarded in his answers to his sisters questions, especially after he found out she was working as a member of a local militia. No sense in alerting her to his more criminal activities. He did discover that his father was in fact still alive, though that brought up the question of who the man in his dream had been. For now though, that could wait, they were at the inn.

Theresa had enjoyed the conversation, but knew her brother was hiding things. However hard she tried though, some things he just wouldn't answer. As she opened her mouth to try again to learn more he raised his arm. They were stopped outside an inn. Theresa looked at Shadow, about to open her mouth anyways when a swirling "fog" appeared in front of them. Immediately, instinctively, she unsheathed her sword, and pulled for her shield, until once more Shadow stopped her. Just another question to ask later I suppose...

Phyril emerged in front of Shadow and Theresa. He had known that Shadow would find his sister here, one of the reasons he had chosen this spot. But that didn't matter in the end, just a treat really. What really mattered was Shadows final test. If he had a physical form he would have smiled as his power manifested, but instead he simply spoke simple words, the words resonating from every part of his incorporal form. "Nice to see you again Shadow, now it's time." And he entered the gate he had created, hoping Shadow would follow.

So he's a psion uncarnate now eh? That had been his goal for a while. Shadow smiled and entered the gate, a power at the edge of his mind. As he came through the smile faded however as a hail of crystals flew towards him.

The sword still in her hand Theresa dashed forward towards where her brother vanished. Entering no gate she manifested a power, attempting to trace the path of the teleportation gate. She cursed softly but quickly calmed down. He should be able to take care of himself and ebsides, she should head back to her post soon anyways.

* * *

Phyril was disappointed, his pupil made no move to dodge, he was sure Shadow would have some way to evade it by now. The crystals struck his pupils body, tearing through it, and Phyril moved closer. He had expected better of Shadow, he truly ha- The thought was interupted as a weird sensation flew through Phyrils mind. Then it was over.

And Phyril felt himself fall, hitting the ground with a thump. He held up one hand, wiggling fingers he shouldn't have then his entire body was pulled to the ground, as hundreds of tiny ectoplasmic tendrils held him down. Before he could do anything to help himself he felt his power draining away, and he knew Shadow had truly outdone him.

Shadow walked up to the bound man. Once again that trick had worked to defeat his opponent, he really loved his gloves. Smiling he looked down on his old masters face, "So, did I pass.

He watched Phyril struggle against the ectoplasm tendrils keeping him down and grinned as the words came out of Phyrils mouth. "Yes, you pass." A quick mind probe confirmed Phyrils words and Shadow dismissed the tendrils, allowing Phyril to stand and stretch. "Any prize?" Shadow laughed to himself, that had been one of his motivations to pass in his youth. Phyril had always had something nice for him.

"Actually, yes."

Shadow looked up, surprised, he hadn't actually expected anything.

"You beat me quite easily, but more so, I know something of your future." Phyril held up a hand before Shadow could respond. "And I know you are the future of psions, already your one of the most powerful. And I have a few things for you, items I think you will like quite a bit." Phyril stood and started leaving the room, and Shadow, a slightly bewildered look on his face followed.

They entered a small room, lightly furnished, the main objects being two pedestals located in the center of the room. Phyril picked up something and handed it to Shadow. SHadow held it and examined it, it seemed to be a circlet, quite plain except for a topaz in the center. Despite its plain appearance it was beautiful, and it obviously held some power.

"Consider it your prize for passing the test. Quite a nice circlet really, I have no use for it though, not now that I'm generally incorporeal. Speaking of which, I can change back now right?"

"Of course, I lifted the suggestion with the tendrils." Shadow nodded slightly then held out his hand and grabbed a heavy leather bound book. Looking it over Shadow noticed a strange symbol on the cover, a featureless skull with arrows pointing in eight directions heading inwards.

"A family heirloom of yours, it belonged to your grandfather and now I'm returning it. And now I'm afraid I have to go, business in Shivairn. This note will explain the circlet and cloak to some extent. And to get out all you need is a simple plane shift." With that Phyril left and Shadow picked up the note, holding it to the light.

The circlet belonged to the founder of the old Psychic Rogues, quite useful really. It has a few useful powers. It seems to improve the power of telepathic powers, increase the amount of manifestations you can create each day, and it will allow you to stay in touch with anyone you wish. In a way it is like mind seed for it's last use, though you do not take over their mind, you simply reside in it.

That book is a artifact created by one of your ancestors hundreds of years ago. It was stolen from your grandfatehrs possesion not long after he settled, I only found it recently. It will be an asset in the times to come. It was stolen from your grandfather after he settled, I recently found it, I'm not sure of everything that's in it, it will be up to you to figure that out.

As Shadow finished reading he smiled and put the circlet on. He went to put the book into his pouch and thought better, opening it. Might as well read a little before returning. He opened it, flipping over a few blank pages and coming to the first page, where he started reading.

Thanatos slid back into the spacious and quiet room, eagerly anticipating his next glorious work of art. Preparations were nearly complete and soon...very soon, there would be one less mindless body for him to worry about.

Thanatos looked up at the pathetic, scarred body that had been referred to far too long as a "ruler". It was well past the time their pathetic "reign" deserved to come to an end....

It was almost sunrise, he would have to hurry, lest his new plaything bleed to death. Deciding upon a spell, Thanatos readied it to hold the blood from escaping their body until everything was complete. It would take careful precision and some time: both of which Thanatos had plenty of.

Everyone in the building had been drugged, and not even an explosion would wake them up. And that makes this the perfect place for the show...

The heavy, choking mist covering the perimeter of the Mournland cleared up as Orophin at last reached it's extremities. Gazing up at the darkening sky told him it was nearing night-time. Wonderful. How much better it'd be if I hd a faster means of travel... But that was something he'd have to worry about later. For now, his top concerns were finding suitable shelter, and relaying what little information he had found to his superior.

With no luck of finding natural shelters made from outcroppings of rock or trees so near to the Mournland, Orophin decided to do things the less mundane way. Calling upon his divine spells, he transmuted the rocky ground into a metal cube, fit enough for him to take comfort inside of it until daybreak.

Stepping carefully within, checking first to make sure there were no dangers nearby, Orophin laid out his bedroll, casting a magical fire upon his torch. Sighing inwardly, he cast a third spell. A mental link with his superior, in hopes that he wouldn't be too disappointed with Orophin's near-failure.

I am not pleased to report, he started, that I have recovered little information on the whereabouts of the half-fiend Tael'braithe. As I continued my search in the area of the Glass Plateau, I happened upon a group of travelers, as you had said I would, who had been with Tael'braithe a short while prior. None of them new his current location. I will continue my search tomorrow morning, until I reach Sharn.

A pause, as the telepathic words formed in his mind. Then, Yes, master Thanatos. My orders are clear.

The most powerful of the archsages spoke to Will. Rather awkwardly, asking for help was not his strongpoint. "Uh... Will" he whispered, "perhaps I could ask you a favor of sorts."

Will excused himself from his friends, and looked at the current ruler of the archsages, it had been decided almost immediately, without the power and wisdom of a single entity the archsages always panicked in a time of crisis. Though Will was dissapointed, there was a whisper that spoke that one of the prodigies would next be named Lord. Will didn't care for the title, rather the responsibility. Any other person might choose to focus on politics rather than the original reason for this establishment.

"I know of your gifts, it's wonderful finally knowing of everyone's abilities and strengths. Can I ask you of the location of two people?" The man seemed to be salivating at the prospect of knowing this information.

Will simply starred at the man, he already knew who he would ask, but for the sake of not being flamboyant with his abilities he humoured the old man. "Whom may I inquire is it you want me to find?"

The man's eyes became wide, this was his chance, "I wish to know the location os Thanatos, and Eragia."

Will was slightly taken aback, and rather furious. Few people had known the man's actual name, and it had been in his file. Will did not enjoy having more people know secrets. "Well, Erosan is somewhere in a mountainous region studying a recent word of creation, the man never stops in his pursuit to gain all knowledge of days of 'ye ol'." will sighed, "And Thanatos is much too smart to be found by my means." Will suddenly realized, he had made a rather large mistake. If this man was any bit worth his title he'd instantly recognize that if Eragia could be found so easily, then Thanatos surely couldn't do anything to stop Will.

"Damn" The man cursed loudly, Thanatos was smarter than he thought. "Well I thank you anyways, It seems Erosan won't ever resist in the pursuit of knowledge." The man smiled meakly. "Enjoy the party Will."

Will stared at the ground, No, Eragia is taking a well deserved rest. Will put his normal smile back on, and looked about to see if Tyrin had answered the call. How could he have not? The Throbbing his leg must be killing him from the pain of 'the call.'

Orophin ceased the connection as soon as he had received his orders. Thankfully enough, he was permitted a night's rest, and would not have to continue until the 'morrow. In the darkness of his confined "sleeping quarters", Orophin's gloved hands slid cautiously to the bandages wrapped around his lower jaw. Finding where they plain white wrappins ended, he gave a tug, and they began to unravel. In moments, his entire lower jaw was exposed once more to fresh air.

How I have missed the comforts of nighttime air, what had once seemed so plain, and now seems so far away...what could I have given to the Dragon Between and the gods, and still they pay little heed. But soon, things will take a turn for the better. Under the direction of master Thanatos, things have already improved. Patience is key..

As he thoughts flooded his gentle mind, Orophin's consciousness drifted away, carried into the ocean by lapping waves. It would be a dreamless sleep, if indeed it could be called even that.

Shadow sat in a small inn near the library. It had been closed and he hadn't bothered sneaking in so here he was until it opened. He had questioned a Silver Flame priest, discovering that it was possible to be reinstated into the Silver Flame, definately explained why Orophin was searching for Tael, if he had been kicked out this could be his ticket back in. And if not, no loss for Orophin really. Strange man this Orophin was, especially after what the crystal had discovered, but Shadow had other matters to attend to now. Namely this prophecy, and his part in it. He wondered what it was, what this historian would say. But he wouldn't find out for a few hours. And so Shadow paid the innkeeper and went to his room, securing it then going to sleep. Tommorrow would likely be a long day.

Will thought he was catching on... Why not, this establishent was doomed to die any day now anyways. Will spoke loudly and slurred many of his words, his movements were swayed, and it seemed he was giddy, "Right you are... My friend," He became to sob, "Yus, My friend, my only friend, these bunch of old farts are all doomed, doomed doomed doomed... and they're never getting laid." Will laughed heartily and took a swig of a flask which had come from his robe pocket. "And you know something, I could've invented sorcery... I mean its not that hard! All you need is... all you need is... bones! that's what you need, bones to make magic!" The room fell silent, necromancy, the forbidden art. "Wha? you've never heard of nicromency? Its really neat you can take this chicken bone I found and do this, the bone was stuck into the ground extremely quickly, and seemingly without pecision. Will poured the liquid from his flask on the bone, then from the hand and tables of the guests, the chicken became to reform its bones, some parts were uneaten, other were eaten, and one of the chicken's legs had a huge bite mark in it. No head was visible. He then asked the band to play a piece, they did so, not sure what was going on. Then... the chicken began to dance, the bones creaking together, pieces of meat sometimes slipping off, needless to say anyone who had eaten the chicken was hurling as Will simply clapped his hands and laughed. "LOOK EVERYBODY... IT'S A DANCING DEAD CHICKEN!" Will took Tyrin's arm and they began to dance together drunkily, and slightly queer-like. Then Will let go and he felt on his buttocks. "HA! I fell on my butt," and Will began to laugh and laugh.