The moon shone brightly above the wooded hills, casting ghastly shadows along the worn paths that wove through the valley. The Stranger limped quietly, casting nervous glances at all that lay before him. The night was growing short and with it his defense against The Shadows. His pace increased down the path. There was no room for failure.

Within the cluttered trunks of the wood another body silently tracked The Stranger, the green eyes squinting against the dark night sky. From this distance there was the sense of concern floating about The Stranger but nothing more. Perhaps even a mark of impatience. And yet still no fear. The eyes of The Watcher remained observing as he tracked from a distance and moving only when necessity required.

For his part, The Stranger continued his haphazard journey. As he stepped up his pace the path to the Chief Auror's home came to front of his mind. There was a side road that was hidden by an old and dying oak. Wreckage of an old cart was the only other mark to identify the path. The cane in his hand remained warm to the touch as the crystal globe at the top glowed every so often at his command. Once a great ranger and scout under the kings of old he had fallen to rely on the modern conveniences of a glowing staff. Disappointment washed through the heart of the elder wizard. The ways of old had been lost and with the practices went the magic that had once burst forth from their wands. Halting, he found himself staring at the old oak and just to the left was the aged cart wrecked by youthful impatience. A small smile crossed The Strangers face. The tale of that cart was an old legend by now. It felt like yesterday when old friends had created such a ruckus on that old path. His right leg protested with pain for a moment, causing a grimace to pass over the bearded face. The house of the former Chief Auror was through the thicket and hidden inside a bend in the rock outcropping just beyond where he stood. Hoping to find his old partner was all he had left as the darkness began to fade.

The Shadows would break loose into the open soon.

The Watcher slipped behind a felled tree, green eyes scanning the path that held his quarry. The black cape of his prey fluttered in the wind, grey hair mussed in the night's travels. Sensing hope brought quandary to the hunter. Did this man still believe the hero was still alive? For his part The Watcher had never confirmed the death of the man. It was the whispers on the wind that gave him his news. Whispers could be trusted to a point. The Stranger moved through the branches and vanished. The Watcher carefully followed.

As the path narrowed and bent around a harsh rock outcropping The Stranger glanced to the horizon and felt his chest tighten. Precious few moments until the world became the domain of the dark watchers. Coming to the bend a cautionary glance around the corner found his path clear. Putting his cane before him he carefully walked forward down the path. Something that felt like the cold winters wind seemed to push past him. The heart inside The Stranger slipped into a faster beat, his eyes glancing within the area before him for a clue. Nothing. He didn't turn around out of concern it was a ruse to do just that. Drawing to his full height and gripping the staff midway the appearance of an old useless elderly man vanished. In the place of what had been The Stranger stood the imposing figure of an experienced Auror. Rugged brown garments held a short sword at his side with a flowing charcoal cape twisting in the soft wind. Pale blue eyes now shone like a lighthouse from the burning soul. Movement to his right caught his attention. Without warning and without waiting the Stranger spun and extended his staff, his face burning with rage and focus.

The air suddenly crackled with the heat of the power that had lain dormant within the Auror. The once dull glowing orb now pierced the darkness, sending stark shadows against the surrounding wood.

A lone voice shouted from within the wood, weapon raised and charged. "Disarm! Surrender!" He shouted from behind a thick tree trunk.

A deep laugh from the still crouched Stranger as he looked to see where the boy was cowering. "You're alone out here young soldier. Did your mother not tell you about wandering in the woods in the early of the dawn?" Concentrating on the threat before him he pushed his focus out behind him carefully. There was no one else within range of his seeing. Didn't mean there were not others. It gave him a precious few moments to do away with the threat before him.

The nervous laughter of The Shadow cackled back. "I know how to kill you. They trained me. We've got the weapons to destroy your magic!"

A sly smile from The Stranger. The boy was growing courage as he spoke. This was good. He would work to draw him out. "Very well boy. You think you can destroy me? Then let it begin." The heat suddenly swelled all around The Stranger as he let loose a barrage of blazing fire centered on the tree where the voice of The Shadow had been eminating. The explosion thundered, shaking the ground as flames erupted, exploding the tree from within. Fiery debris from roots to roof flew like missiles drowning out the screams of The Shadow. The Stranger charged towards where the boy had stood and came to a halt as he found the bloodied body slumped. Crouching down, he put his hand over the body and reached out with his sense.

"He's dead Memphis."

The soft accented voice interrupted his thoughts but did not cause him alarm. This voice he knew. Memphis took a deep breath and turned to face his old friend. "Rasputin, you choose the most impressive moments."

The thin mustached wizard smiled as they locked eyes. "You're still as impressive as the old days."

The mild Russian accent brought some warmth to the heart of Memphis. Gripping his staff once more and looking around he reached out with his sense. "They call you The Watcher for a reason old friend. Did you watch any other Shadows? Where there is one…there are always more."

"Where there are The Shadows, death is not far behind is what you are seeming to say. Odd this one was alone. Come, let us go inside. We have much to discuss."

A roll of the eyes as he picked up his limping pace at the side of Rasputin. "Wonderful. Pray tell, is this news of the pleasant variety?"

A shrug was all his fellow wizard would allow. "We talk when not surrounded by the spies of The Shadows. Then I tell you everything I know."

They walked towards the house in silence.