Chapter 1

I was running. After all, there was little choice in the matter. I could take a stand and reveal myself, or I could escape. Running away was not my style, but I was being followed by more than just a few monsters. I leaped over a brick wall, landing smoothly on the other side. I shouldn't have been able to do that; the wall was at least five feet tall. I wasn't human though, and I am armed with powers that would make you gnash your teeth in envy.

My blackthorn staff was my only weapon I had, but it had never let me down before. I trusted Nature's Edge, the name which I had given it. We were a formidable force together and it was my one connection with Alrog.

The memory of the old bard gave me renewed determination. A bard as fiery as a dragon with no less vigor either. I made a choice there, a rash and foolish one perhaps, and one that I have regretted ever since, but it was one that changed my life yet again. Ducking into an alley I turned and raised my staff. The green vines that twined around the ancient wood glowed with light and power, making me smile. Old magic, long forgotten, but still strong.

I heard the monster before I saw it; heavy breathing and footsteps so loud that the window panes rattled. I smiled contemptuously as the Cyclops stomped into view. A huge eye studied me and the large misshapen mouth gaped, revealing brown and broken teeth. It growled, raising a club as it lumbered forward.

So easy, it was really a disappointment. I raised my staff and white light erupted from the tip. The creature stopped as the energy slammed into it. The Cyclops was knocked back and I ran forward, jumping on top of its broad chest. Black energy gathered in my palm as I looked into the dazed and confused eye. Pity stirred in my heart, but I was not to be stopped. I released the darkness and it erupted into black flames.

I jumped back and watched it burn. I felt no regret, only sadness for it. I remembered Theo and his brothers. But this monster was different; it was going to kill me. Monsters didn't die in any case; they could only be sent back to The Abyss until the reformed and came back. The irony of it made me want to throw a punch at the wall. I could not be killed either, dispelled like a monster, but The Goddess would never let me die.

"Lyra!" a voice from behind me. I spun around, for I recognized it.

"Jink?" I called back incredulously.

His scarred face appeared above me and a moment, he had landed beside me. His black hair was dirty and his shirt was ripped in several places, but his smile was as unmarred as ever. He gave me a hug that almost cracked my ribs, but I didn't care, I was glad to see him.

"Where's Theo?" I asked when he finally let go.

He gestured back down the alley. "He, Firedancer, Lyvani, and Halithla are on their way. We ran into some trouble in the form of a few godlings." He kicked a lose stone and it clattered away.

I nodded to him. "Me too."

His face set in grim determination. "Then it's time to set them straight isn't it?" He asked.

Resigned to the fact that other option were closing fast, I nodded to him.

He smiled and drew his sword. It was double-bladed and about three feet long. Twined around the hilt was a silver dragon. Its tail anchored to the pommel and wound around the grip. The outstretched wings formed the cross-guard and its head reared up, mouth open and tiny fangs bared. It was a wondrous work. It was the one that we had found in Rakia, the one that had led us south so many ages ago, the one that had led him to his father.

"Are you going to summon Anatkah?" he asked me.

I shook my head a solemn no.

At that moment, we heard them. Taking a tighter grip on my staff I tensed, ready for action. Footsteps echoed again down the alley. Many of them.

"Theo," Jink muttered.

He was right. In a moment the daemons were beside us. Lyvani with eyes like chips of ice and bright white hair as dense as a cloud. Firedancer and Theo, both opposites save for the intelligent green eyes. Halithla, free at last with hair the color of warm earth and eyes as brown as a deer's.

Theo swept his golden hair out of his face and made an elegant bow. Firedancer smiled, but Halithla and Lyvani both wore looks of impatient exasperation at this. "Sorry for the delay," he panted. "Bit out of practice, but it all came back after the first few minutes." He grinned broadly.

Lyvani broke in. "What are we going to do, Lyra? Make a stand or try to talk?" His voice was light and airy, but I could tell he was angry.

"I'm going to conjure an energy shield," I told them. "I expect that it will shock them enough to slow them down and perhaps but enough time for Jink to propose a talk. Does that sound alright?" I raised an eyebrow inquiringly. One thing ruling had taught me was to listen to friends and enemies alike.

They all nodded and Jink sheathed his sword with a sigh. "As you wish," were his words.

We did not have long to wait. Barely a minute passed when the sounds of stealthy tracking reached my ears. I raised a sphere of blue energy around us with my staff and waited. When the first face peered into the alley, I called out in a strong voice, "Stop! Who goes there?"