'Are you sure that's the place?' Primrose asked doubtfully. 'It looks like no-one has been anywhere near it in years - hardly how I would expect the Headmaster of the University to live, even if it is just occasionally.'

'Don't look particularly safe either.' Therion muttered.

'Well, the kind gentleman we spoke to outside the guard station said this was it. I have no reason to doubt his accuracy.' Cyrus replied enthusiastically.

The house they had been directed to was set back from the street with what would have been an impressively large garden - if the land hadn't been wildly overgrown and obscuring the pathways to the premises. A heavy iron fence ringed the property which did indeed look particularly run down with heavily peeling paint and the windows boarded against intruders. Masonry was crumbling and there looked to be a hole in the roof.

'Even if this is the correct abode, I doubt very much we are going to find anything actually left here, let alone anything useful.' Odette grumbled as they creaked open the front gate and made their way cautiously up towards the door.

'Oh!.. Gravesweed!' Alfyn exclaimed suddenly, dashing into the dense vegetation, donning gloves and picking at a plant happily. 'Rare!' he added, gathering as much as he could.

'Isn't that highly toxic?' Odette asked, 'Because I think there is some Morningslumber over to the left - and that is a rather potent poison too.'

'Shuck's!' Alfyn's excitement grew. 'It's also great as an anaesthetic if you get the dose right. Wow!'

Odette had joined Alfyn in the undergrowth. 'Hmm, there are more here.. Heartsbane, Auldwort.. I think that is Silversong too..'

'No! Really? 'I've only read about that!' Alfyn was grinning broadly. 'Can't be that anyone knows this is here. These reagents are worth a fortune.'

'It's a poison garden...' Odette said thoughtfully. 'Pretty dangerous to have in the middle of a town. Why the hell aren't the gates locked properly?'

Therion wandered back down the path to take a closer look at the gate they had come through. He moved to the side and searched the foliage. Finally he found what he was looking for.

'This is what secured it.' He said, holding up a heavy chain. 'It ain't been cut and there ain't no scratches round the lock so it was opened with the proper key then just discarded. Recent too I'd say - it wasn't buried down, just lying on the top of the scrub.'

'Maybe we should adopt some caution then.' Cyrus looked up at the rambling building thoughtfully. 'With the windows shuttered up like that it is impossible to tell if there is anyone home.'

'Cyrus,' Odette said suddenly. 'I'm sure that there were a number of these plants in the Necromancer's lair, in the urns - dried. Are they mentioned in the translation?'

'I know there were some botanical's listed, but I didn't know anything about them..' Cyrus took the book from his pocket and flicked through. 'Yes.' He confirmed. 'Those and a few others.'

'I guess we are in the right place then.' Primrose said grimly.

The companions made their way towards the front door, keeping to the overgrowth as much as possible.

'I'm gonna scout round see if I can find an alternative way in.' Therion murmured and scooted off at pace. He was back fairly shortly later. 'Can't see anywhere we could access without tearing down the shutters.' He admitted.

'Well, let's see if you can get the door open?' Cyrus suggested calmly. 'If that's our only option I suggest we go with it.'

Therion moved forward to examine the door. He pushed on the handle experimentally, surprised when it swung open smoothly and quietly.

'Okay, wasn't expecting that.' He looked at the others.

'Does this smack of a trap to anyone else?' Odette frowned.

'My Thief senses are tingling.' Therion admitted.

'Perhaps we should come back with reinforcements.' Primrose suddenly looked nervous. 'Big scary house, mental evil Scholars.. poisonous plants..'

'Just a quick look round?' Cyrus suggested. 'If we come across any signs of occupation we can leave, but it would be pointless to drag everyone all the way out here if it is empty.'

'Famous last words Prof.' Alfyn said with a chuckle, slapping him on the shoulder.

The gloom in the building was oppressive, largely down to the obscured windows although interestingly there didn't appear to be the same signs of decay or even dust in the hallway that they entered. There were no furnishings, just a large staircase leading up and several doors off the long corridor.

'This is locked.' Therion had tried the first door he had come to.

'This one too,' Alfyn added, rattling the next handle along.

'Guys..' The door that Primrose had walked up to had opened soundlessly. When the others joined her they saw darkness and the vague outlines of furniture in a medium sized room. Leaving the door open they tried all the other entrances on the level but it none of the rest would budge.

'Let's check it out then.' Cyrus created a small ball of fire for illumination and moved forwards into the open room. It appeared to be a sitting room of some kind with a large hearth and a number of huge stuffed seats arranged in no discernable pattern.

'Bloody hell!' Alfyn was suddenly moving forward, pushing past the Scholar and rushing over to one of the chairs.

'What..?' Cyrus was hot on the heels of the Apothecary. 'Therese!' he cried.

A slight blond girl in fine clothes was laid out on some cushions, bound and gagged and with a large bloody bandage wrapped roughly around one of her arms. Her eyes were wild and wet and she began bucking wildly against her bonds as she saw the two men rushing towards her. She was trying vainly to speak, nodding her head towards the door.

The others followed into the room, looking around carefully for threats. Alfyn managed to get the gag off the prone girl.

'Watch out!' she cried as it came loose, then everything went dark.

~0~

When Cyrus finally awoke it was to Alfyn roughly shaking him. He stared up groggily at the Apothecary in confusion.

'You okay Prof?' the lad asked quietly.

'I feel.. rather light headed.' Cyrus admitted trying to sit himself up.

'Can I take a quick look at that?' Alfyn nodded at the bandage wrapped around the Scholar's arm.

'Uh.. sure?' Cyrus blinked, trying to clear his head but it remained stubbornly muzzy. As Alfyn unwrapped the bandage, Cyrus pushed himself up unsteadily to a sitting position and looked warily around him. It appeared that only he and Alfyn were currently conscious, everyone else seemed to have collapsed where they had stood and Therese was still in her binds, unconscious now on her chair.

'Oh, my poor darling!' Cyrus gasped, trying to stand.

'Take it easy Prof.' Alfyn grabbed his arm. 'Don't try to get up yet.

'What the hell happened?' Cyrus sounded more angry than confused.

'Dunno..' Alfyn had taken the bandage off to reveal a large slashed cut on Cyrus's arm that had obviously bled heavily if the dried stains were any indication. '.. Just woke up myself. The others look okay, although they're still out of it - seems it's only you and the girl have these slashes on your arm.'

Cyrus noticed a lamp and water had been left on a table by the fireplace. 'I'm rather thirsty.' The Scholar noted, 'But I am loath to imbibe anything that was left by our unknown host.'

'Yeah I agree.' Alfyn said quietly, getting his water-bottle from his satchel. 'Don't seem like anything was taken from us, my stuff is all intact including my weapons.' He mused.

Cyrus took a long drink, his mouth tasting like ashes. Alfyn fixed a new bandage to his arm swiftly, then sat back on his heels.

'I was gonna try and make the others more comfortable.' The Apothecary motioned their companions on the floor.'

'Indeed.' Cyrus managed to stand with Alfyn's help but his head still didn't feel quite right. He carefully staggered over to where his former student lay and collapsed down next to her, tugging at the ropes that bound her. 'What are you doing here my love?' he murmured to himself.

Alfyn came over and handed a knife to the Scholar to help him to cut away at the bindings, then he went back to where Primrose was slumped on the floor. As he tried to move the Dancer her eyes suddenly flew open and her dagger was instantly in her hand.

'Peace Primrose, it's just me!' Alfyn reassured her quickly, taking her by the elbow and helping her to sit. The Dancer looked disoriented for a short while, and was silent as she drank the water that Alfyn had taken from her pack and urged her to sip.

'What the bloody hell?' Primrose suddenly exclaimed, her face angry.

'Not sure what happened,' Alfyn began.. 'Seems that..'

'What are you doing Cyrus?' Primrose ignored Alfyn and her voice was outraged.

Alfyn looked round to where Primrose was staring. 'Oh.. what?' The Apothecary looked stunned.

Cyrus had taken the girl he had been freeing onto his lap and was holding her rather intimately close to his chest, one arm around her waist and his other hand cupping her face tenderly. He was laying a light kiss to her brow. At his gentle touch her eyes fluttered open.

'Professor?' She whispered faintly.

'Oh my darling..' his fingers caressed her cheek as his arm tightened around her. 'How can you possibly be here? What has happened?'

'Yeah Prof, what's happened?' Therion's voice was dripping sarcasm as he sat up, frowning at the Scholar.

Cyrus looked towards his friends, his brow wrinkled in confusion. 'This is my student, Therese.' He told them as if that explained everything, then turned his attention back to the girl as she reached a hand to his face and brought her lips up to his rather passionately.

'I was so worried Professor.' Therese eventually simpered, tears welling in her eyes. 'I travelled all alone from Atlasdam to warn you that you were in danger, but it seems I was too late!'

'Hush darling, please don't concern yourself - we will work it out.' Cyrus consoled her, wiping her tears then stroking her hair comfortingly.

'Shit-on-a-bloody-stick...What the hell Albright?' Odette had woken and managed to stand as everyone was staring incredulously at Cyrus and Therese.

'Odette?' Cyrus looked confused.

'Since when did you start fraternizing with students, Cyrus?' she asked acrimoniously.

Cyrus's puzzlement seemed to grow. He ran a nervous hand through his hair and rubbed the back of his neck, his brow wrinkling as he thought.

'I wouldn't...' he began, but Therese grabbed his hand and took his attention, looking deeply into his eyes. His confusion turned into a gentle smile.

Primrose moved quicker than lightning towards Cyrus and Therese, her hand raised, but Therion was quicker still and caught the irate Dancer before she could connect with either of her targets.

'We can sort that out later.' Therion's voice was hard. 'Right now we should concentrate on getting ourselves out of here.'

Primrose looked like she was going to argue, then she nodded curtly.

'Don't think this is over.' She glowered at Cyrus, whose attention was far too rapt on Therese to notice Primrose's ire.

Therion had moved to the door. 'No handle this side.' He said before joining Odette at the shuttered window. 'Probably our best bet,' he appraised the wood that had been hammered over it. Reckon you can get through this with your axe?' he asked Alfyn.

Alfyn hadn't moved from his spot, still watching Cyrus.

'How could you Prof?' The Apothecary sounded distraught. 'Why would you do this to Ophilia?'

Cyrus's attention was dragged from Therese at Alfyn's words.

'Ophilia...' the Scholar shook himself then closed his eyes and his hand went to his forehead as if it pained him. 'Ophilia..' he repeated and suddenly he scowled. 'No!' he exclaimed, his hand coming away from his face quickly as a ball of raging fire burst out on his palm.

Therese squealed and jumped from his lap as the hand that was holding her heated up in flame too. Both fireballs released and smashed into the wall opposite in an explosion of embers, only to be replaced immediately by more fire growing in his palms.

'Focus Cyrus!' Odette was straight over to the Scholar who had stood, his face contorted in what looked like rage. She grabbed his arm tight, digging her fingers mercilessly into his flesh. 'Damn you Albright, get a bloody grip!' she shouted at him.

'Get out the way Odette!' Cyrus' voice came through gritted teeth as the second volley spilled from him, dotting the walls and the fireplace.

'Professor?' Therese whimpered. 'Please, stop. You're scaring me!'

Almost instantly, the flames died away. 'Oh my darling! Please.. forgive me!' Cyrus knocked Odette's grip away as he grabbed Therese by the shoulders and drew her too him, his expression turning soft again.

'Hmm.' Odette pushed her glasses straight and thoughtfully tapped her chin. 'Interesting...' she added.

'What's all that noise in there?' a loud voice came from the other side of the door to the room. 'Are you trying to break out Albright? I assure you, I oversaw the preparations myself. You are completely secured.'

'Yvon. You arsehole.' Odette went to the door and hit it hard with her fist. 'Too bloody chicken-shit to face us directly?' she taunted.

'Ah, the unlovely Odette.' Yvon chuckled. 'Can't say it was a pleasure to see you, but leaving you here to die horribly will be.'

'Say that to my face, I dare you!' Odette spat.

Yvon chuckled again. 'Albright?' he called out again. 'I would speak to you lad..'

'What do you want Yvon?' Cyrus had seated Therese down on an armchair and made his way to join Odette at the door. 'I'm fairly sure we have nothing to say to each other.'

'Not so dear boy.. not so!' Yvon's voice had become friendly, almost wheedling. 'We may not have seen eye to eye in the past Professor, but I do admire your brain. It would do us both well to collaborate.. just think of it.. what we could achieve together. I would not be adverse to having you apprentice to me lad..'

'Hmm.' Cyrus chuckled humourlessly. 'I think it fair to observe that I am philosophically opposed to your entire stance on knowledge Yvon. It should be shared, not horded for personal gain. That is without taking into consideration your willingness to use dangerous magic to further your ambition - regardless of the pain and suffering it causes to others.' He leaned his aching head against the door, looking sad. 'No, Yvon. I would never join you. Never.'

'How very unfortunate.' Yvon said quietly. 'Then I guess you will just have to starve to death along with your companions.' The Headmaster sighed. 'Truly a waste.' He bemoaned.

'Hey!' Therese came running towards the door, her voice shrill. 'Let me out at once!' she demanded. 'This is not what I agreed with Lucia..'

'Oh really?' Odette raised an eyebrow and caught hold of the girl.

'Let me go!' Therese snarled.

'Unhand her at once Odette.' Cyrus demanded.

Yvon was chuckling to himself again. 'Have fun all of you..' he laughed. 'Do enjoy dying!' They heard his footsteps walk away.

'Well now - we are in a pickle.' Odette scowled at Cyrus as he pulled Therese to himself protectively. 'What exactly did you mean Therese?' she asked the girl in a deceptively light tone.

Therese suddenly looked nervous.. 'I didn't mean anything..' she said, grabbing hold of Cyrus and burying her face in his chest.

'Lucia is Yvon's assistant at the University these days I believe.' Odette observed.

'She is.' Cyrus was leading Therese back to a chair in the far corner of the room, as far away from his companions as he could manage.

'I see,' Odette was tapping her finger against her cheek thoughtfully. 'Figured there had to be brains behind Yvon. He is too damned dense to plan all this on his own. Lucia now, skilled in her own area's..'

Alfyn had started to take a swing at the wood planks covering the windows. His axe rebounded sharply even before it connected showering him with vicious sparks. He dropped his weapon with a pained cry.

'I wouldn't bother.' Cyrus noted. 'The room is sealed magically, aside from the door. If you want to chip away at anything try that.' He went back to his whispered conversation with Therese.

'The others will find us soon enough.' Odette observed, then put out a hand to restrain Primrose who looked as if she was going to move towards Cyrus and Therese again. 'I wouldn't bother my dear.' She said sourly. 'There is something wrong there, I believe he is under a compulsion of some kind.'

'Are you sure?' Primrose spat. 'It looks pretty natural to me..'

'I'm positive.' Odette cocked her head looking at her former student. 'Cyrus has only ever truly loved two things. Knowledge and Ophilia. It would be impossible to detect an alien magical signature with all of his own personal skill, but I don't doubt it's there.'

'Hope your right.' Therion was scowling heavily.

'Might be better if I'm wrong..' Odette admitted. 'A mind compulsion on someone with the kind of power that Cyrus wields? If he is fighting it, and I am sure that he will be - I fear what that will do to his focus and control.'

'Oh... crap.' Therion breathed.

'Indeed.' Odette agreed. 'He seems calm enough when he is with Therese, wouldn't be surprised if it was a love spell of some kind based on his behaviour.. Best let him be until we are safely out of here and can explore it in a controlled manner. Challenging him - mentioning Ophilia.. it didn't go so well.'

'Don't wanna watch them though.' Therion turned his back.

.

Time passed slowly. Everyone was hungry and thirsty and they pooled whatever they had in their packs to make a meagre meal. They had all settled into an anxious silence, unsure how many hours they had been away on their mission, not knowing how long they had been unconscious for.

Eventually muffled voices sounded in the corridor and there were several loud clicks. Olberic opened the door and pushed his way in, followed by Erhardt with Ophilia held in his arms.

'Thank the God's!' the Knight exclaimed as Tressa and H'aanit entered.

'No!' Odette had stood and moved quickly forward.. 'Don't bring her in here!'

Erhardt had already put Ophilia down on her feet and the Cleric was making her way towards Cyrus at the back of the room who was reclining with Therese asleep against his chest.

Therion had flown so fast towards Ophilia he was almost a blur. He grabbed her round the shoulders and turned her roughly away, pulling her into his arms.

'Therion?' she said, confused.

'Our rescue is here my darling,' Cyrus was saying to Therese, waking her gently.

Erhardt was hovering protectively next to his sister his face a mask. Ophilia turned her head back to look at Cyrus just in time to see Therese catch the Professor in a deep kiss.

'Oh!' Ophilia blinked. She struggled against Therion's grip, but he kept his hold tight.

'Come away Phili.. Cyrus ain't himself, it's some kind of spell..' Therion murmured to her reassuringly.

'Hey Prof..' it was Tressa that challenged him. 'You cheating on Phili? How dare you!'

Cyrus looked up at the roomful of people glaring at him. His eyes fell on Ophilia, wilting in Therion's arms. His face went through about ten expressions one after the other then settled on pure rage as his hands cracked electricity violently. Their eyes met for the briefest second - desperate pain apparent on both their faces, then the Cleric noticed Therese and her jaw dropped in shock.

'That's the woman that brought me the poisoned brandy in Wellspring!' she pointed at Therese. 'What is she.. why is she.. Oh dear..' Her legs gave way completely and Therion had to hold her up.

'How dare you accuse my love?' Cyrus's face went blank, his voice harsh and the built up lightning spewing from his hands directly at the stricken Cleric. Therion turned her away as Erhardt leapt in front of them both, taking the full hit of the attack and going down heavily. Weapons were drawn everywhere as Therion went down under the next bolts, taking Ophilia with him, but managing to cover her as they fell. Olberic had moved in, his sword poised menacingly.

'Stop it Cyrus.' He said evenly. 'I don't want to hurt you, but I will if I have to.

Therese had grabbed onto Cyrus's arm.

What the hell is wrong with you Professor?' she screamed at him. 'Forget them, let's just get out of here!'

Cyrus pulled his arm roughly from Therese's hold and she shrank back in shock from him.

'What?.. the girl simpered... 'Why?' she asked, trying and failing to get his attention.

'By the God's, You couldn't even just die quietly could you?' Headmaster Yvon walked back into the room quite calmly. 'Looks like I am going to have to finish you all myself..' he said with a smirk.

'You?' Odette pushed herself forward laughing harshly. 'You couldn't kill an insect with your pitiful magic Yvon. Oh.. look at me.. I'm trembling..'

The smirk never left Yvon's face. 'Odette.. I'm going to save you for last. I might even keep you a while. I was going to bide my time, savour my success a bit first but you have pushed my hand. Now that I have mastery over life and death, I wonder if I could actually kill you many times.. it would keep me amused for at least a century of my powerful, eternal epoch.'

'You have used a bloodstone?' Cyrus looked stunned for a second, then the lightning that had built following his last attack at Ophilia was flung directly at the Headmaster, bouncing off him easily.

Absolute chaos followed.

Alfyn dropped to his knee's to where Erhardt, Therion and Ophilia lay stunned from Cyrus's attack, Olberic moved forward resolutely to physically engage Yvon and Therese headed swiftly towards the door.

'Oh no you don't.' Primrose was after the girl, nimbly dodging the lightning that Cyrus was spinning wildly at Yvon. Therese made it out of the room and was heading towards the front door swiftly.'

'Going somewhere?' Captain Bastralle stepped out of the shadows behind her and Z'aanta and Hagen blocked the doorway. The girl screamed for Cyrus but Primrose had caught up with her and clamped a hand over her mouth.

'You and I are going to have a little talk.' Primrose said conversationally. 'I'm not sure you are going to like it much, but..' the Dancer shrugged.

Alfyn was trying to dodge the random lightning thrown by Cyrus and keep his patients covered at the same time. Therion was already back on his feet but Ophilia was deathly pale and blood was seeping from the gloves she had used to cover her already injured hands. Erhardt was awake but not making much sense, still in shock at the attack that he had absorbed.

'Don't you bloody dare!' Alfyn said to Ophilia as he felt for her reach for the power of the flame. 'Your body can't take any more healing.. I have told you this. What were you thinking coming here?'

'Well someone had to track you idiot, you had been gone more than a day - what did you think we would do?' Tears were pouring down Ophilia's face.

'Sorry Li.' Alfyn looked horrified at her expression. 'God's this is all a mess..' he reached a hand to cup her face and kissed her brow gently. 'Please Li, don't cast. For me..'

She nodded tightly.

The fight with Yvon was still raging. His strength was unbelievable, each hit that Olberic took from the man seemed to knock him back a few paces. Cyrus's unfocused lightning seemed to be having no effect at all and was hitting Olberic as often as it seemed to hit their foe.

H'aanit was having better luck with her arrows that were peppering the Headmaster from behind, but even so, the man was still on his feet. Tressa was trying to channel wind to push Yvon back from his assault on Olberic and give the Warrior an opening but it was Hagen, along with Linde double charging at the headmaster that finally gave them all a break, knocking the man to the ground and overpowering him with teeth and claws.

There was a horrible roar and a ripping sound that echoed around the room. Headmaster Yvon was on his knees and trying to protect himself from the beasts attacking him but he had also started slowly to change. He seemed to be growing larger, his skin stretching and turning almost purely white as it expanded. Muscles bunched under the skin, he opened his mouth and he howled as the transformation took hold of him and he almost shimmered when the change sped up and completely engulfed him.

Cyrus had stopped casting in the shock of what was happening and Odette took the opportunity to grab him firmly.

'You need to focus boy.' She told him angrily. 'I don't care what's going on in your head right now - if you don't manage to control yourself you are going to kill us all.'

'Get everyone out of here Odette.' Cyrus's voice was quiet, desperate. 'I have to finish this and I don't know..' his glance went to Ophilia and his eyes rolled as he swallowed hard and his face went blank. 'Just let me finish this.' He said harshly.

Odette stared at him a moment. 'Agreed.' She said heavily. She patted Cyrus on the arm and went to speak to Alfyn. 'We need to get everyone out.' She told him quietly. 'Cyrus doesn't know if he can hold on to his focus.. if he loses control completely..' Alfyn nodded and picked up Ophilia, beckoning to Therion to follow him.

Yvon had got to his feet, an enormously long arm swiped out in a large arc and physically pushed everyone back and down.

'Corrupted!' the Headmaster screamed. 'The witch gave me a corrupted crystal.. Damn her!' He moved in on Olberic in a huge volley of thrusts.

Alfyn was back to his feet with Therion's help, the Thief having taken Ophilia himself and starting towards the door. Alfyn went back for Erhardt and started to move him too.

They had just managed to get into the corridor when Cyrus started channelling fire. He stood in front of the monster that had been Yvon, his eyes wild and his hands moving in crazy gestures as the fire fell relentlessly. Olberic was caught up in the conflagration, throwing himself towards the exit, H'aanit and Z'aanta grabbing him under the arms and pulling him out. Linde and Hagen were running from the house already, even they were spooked by the incredible heat that Cyrus was producing.

All of the furniture in the room was alight now, the fire catching along the walls and spreading out viciously. Again and again Cyrus cast, unable to target, but relentless in his confusion and fury. Yvon finally seemed to realise that it was over. Under the weight of the assault he was back on his knee's looking at the claws that had replaced his hands with pure horror on his bestial face.

'Lucia..' Yvon stared up at Cyrus, trying to get through to the Scholar. 'She betrayed me.. her and that witch she adores. They used me. She has the book Albright and she has Therese's blood. The blood of a royal. You need to stop them!'

Cyrus's face became an agony of concentration, trying to pull his mind back together. With one final enormous fireball he blasted Yvon and the Headmaster exploded into dust which burned up instantly in the raging inferno.

'Ice.' Cyrus murmured to himself, his power flowing through him intoxicatingly. Ice exploded out - dampening the flames and freezing the room as his casts danced from him in a greater and greater frenzy. The room was almost a completely encased ice by the time his energy finally ran out and he collapsed to the floor with a beaten groan.

'You did good boy.' Odette was still at his side, holding onto his arm, scorched and covered in ash and frost but grinning wildly. 'We'll sort it out lad. By the God's, I promise you.'