The party stops and turns around. The dwarf sizes up the armor-clad warrior.
"What ye be wanting, mommy's boy? Speak quickly, or me axe be making a new home in yer head, it will," the dwarf yells, itching the haft of his red-glowing axe. The others laugh derisively, though the mage remains silent. The assassin begins to creep around to Xandax's side, unbeknownst to him or Faisal.

*****

The sun peeks over the horizon in Athkatla as a new day begins. As Virdel walks along the dark alleyways, he suddenly sees a flash from a nearby building. Battle cries and an inhuman shriek reach his ears. Curious, he slips over and peeks through a broken window. Inside the darkened building, a dozen hooded figures charge a hideous pit fiend. The thieves move quickly and efficiently, but they look to be no match for the frenzied demon. Before his eyes a thief is gutted on its razor sharp claws. A flick of its wrist sends the corpse crashing through a window right next to Virdel.

*****

Virdel watched the man tossed across the room like a rag doll, and the others valiantly try to fight the creature off. It also notice how futile the task was. A Pit Fiend was no easy battle, and he easily guessed the outcome. The men, regardless of how many, stood little chance of defeating it. Virdel could not deny his instincts here. He did not follow the path of the common Drow, and could not turn his back on these men. He smirked, as he thought about what Ferchen had said about Melikki, and the Rangers.

He hesitated no longer, and drew both scimitars from their scabbards. He glanced quickly at the hilt of Justicar, and checked to make sure the obsidian stone was in place, for he felt he may need it in the common battle. He leapt into the windowsill he had observed the battle from, and then to the gowned in the building. He let out a battle cry, startling the Thieves, but no doubt being welcomed by them. They wanted the help, Virdel knew this, and at this point, they did not care of the source.

As Virdel charged into the waiting Pit Fiend, he caressed his thumb of the obsidian stone, bringing to mind the mental image of the Earth. To his side, a pale green mist formed, shrouding everything to his right. A dark form began to materialize beside him, charging as he did. The large Earth Elemental charged headlong into the fight, recognizing the fiend as the obvious threat. The Elemental went right, and Virdel went left.

*****

As Virdel swung hard to the left, his focus on the Pit Fiend's massive arms, he let his scimitars loose a barrage of thrusts, cuts and jabs. His hands became a whur of motion, and the blades became no more then streaks of silvery light. The Pit Fiend Hollowed with rage as he felt the powerful scimitars into it's arm, and side. It swatted it's mighty hand down, towards Virdel's body, but was no match for lithe Drow, as Virdel kicked back, and just out of reach of the unholy creatures attack. Virdel, recovering quickly from the attack, drove Lash Bearer down upon the Fiends fingers, attempting to dismember them from the hand, but to no avail. Virdel, too, had has underestimated the creatures speed, and his weapon only met the solid ground.
Virdel charged in again, this time leaping on the creatures forearm, and gripping on tightly with his legs. He began to slash madly at the arm of the beast, feeling the scimitars slowly hack away at the Fiends strong hide. The Fiend, now truly annoyed, swatted at Virdel with his other hand, catching him right in the rib cage. Virdel let out a loud gasp, and sucked his gut in. His legs buckled, and he dropped to the ground, gasping for air to return to his lungs.

*****

The Earth Elemental fared slightly better than Virdel. The Massive chunk of rock swung and batted at the creature with all it's might, ignoring almost anything the creature turned back on it. With Virdel thoroughly distracting the creature on the other side, the elemental swung it's rocky fist into the Pit Fiends rib cage. The powerful was enough to strike through, and the sounds of bone cracking could be heard under the skin. The Elemental repeated the attack twice more before backing up, and moving to a new approach. When The Pit Fiend saw Virdel dive onto it's arm, it had raised it's right hand to swat at it. The first time, the Elemental caught it, and attempted to crush it's wrist. It had broken free with a twist of his arm, and with the strength posed by the Fiend, it had removed one of the Elemental's mighty arms in the process, then went back, and swatted Virdel off it. The Elemental continued it's attack regardless, charging headlong into the melee again, raising it's lone fist to jaw level of the beast. With one mighty swing, the Elemental tore the jaw of the beast off, sending a wave of putrid smelling blood across the floor, with the bone and jaw alongside.

*****

The Thieves, having backed off to watch the impressive Drow work, had seen the him get hit by the beast. They had also seen the Elemental remove it's jaw, distracting it long enough for of the braver men to go and retrieve Virdel from the fate the Fiend had in store. The Valiant fight had also raised their spirits, and their courage, and they again attacked the weakened Fiend. A wave of blade and arrow could be seen striking the Fiend, which could no longer withstand the attack, and after a few more minutes of fighting, the Pit Fiend gave out one last sigh, and collapsed to the ground, dead.
By now, Virdel had regained his breath. He stood, albeit rather shakily, and retrieved his fallen weapons. He also commanded the Elemental to return to the earth. He looked around at the carnage wreaked by the monster. Five of the twelve thieves had been slain, and three more were wounded. Virdel now had a nasty bruise, and possibly a broken rib to add to his growing list of injuries from the past two days. He approached, who he assumed, to be the leader of this group of Thieves.

"Where did this Fiend come from" Virdel questioned, still breathing heavily. He placed his swords away, and straightened up, and looked directly at the man...

*****

"What ye be wanting, mommy's boy? Speak quickly, or me axe be making a new home in yer head, it will" the dwarf called out.
Xandax concentrated on finding a useful strategy.
"I don't want to fight you, Sir" Xandax said calmly while taking his sword in his left hand and sneaking the dagger previously owned by the dead guard in the doorway down into his right hand.
"I just would like to know - what, if anything, you know about this supposed Drow and what he might be doing in the city and what is your interest in him."
"I got to bide time, they need to get restless" Xandax thought. "The mage is the threat, he got to go down first - and quickly"

*****

The thief leader, grateful for the assistance, decides to indulge the stranger, Drow though he be. "We came here to hit our target, one of those arrogant Cowled Bastards. But seems like he was waiting for us. Soon as we breached the place, he summons up that there Pit Fiend. He doesn't even stick around to watch, just teleprocess off, laughing all the way. Must have though we's as good as dead, and we surely were. Must not have counted on you coming along. Who are you, Drow, to be helping us strangers?"
"That's none of your concern. Just be grateful for your life this day. Not many face a dreaded pit fiend and live to tell the tale."
"As you say, stranger. Off we are then. Come my boys, and let us leave this tomb. Don't forget your comrades weapons and armor, for the Bloodscalp doesn't take kindly to waste." The thieves collect the arms of their fallen, then start to the door.

*****

The Cowled Wizard watched as the Drow turned the tide of the battle, slaying the gated pit fiend. The Shadow Thieves had thought he teleported away, but actually he used a Shadow Door spell to slip aside and observe his handiwork.
Damn that Drow, he thought. He would pay dearly for crossing the Cowled Wizards...but first, he had a task to complete...

*****

A fireball comes out of nowhere, blasting right into the middle of the astonished thieves. The searing heat devours flesh and armor both. Virdel manages to roll away mostly unscathed, being farther away. He spots a blurred form just before it teleports away, for real this time. Rubbing his singed skin, he knows he's made some powerful enemies this day.

*****

The dwarf takes no notice of the knife slipping into Xandax's hand. "All I be knowin is that darkling's going to be a dead darkling, and we'll be getting a hefty reward to boot. Any fool knows there always be a bounty for the head of his kind. Just stay out of our way and maybe we won't be havin to kill ye, aye?" The dwarf smiles at this, showing a set of disgusting green teeth.

But the alert assassin sees the move. He slips around behind the bar, motioning to his friends that there's going to be trouble. Then he lunges at Xandax's back with a cruel, curved knife.

*****

Noticing the shadow of the assassin caused by the lighting inside the Coronet and the light of his amulet Xandax reacts. Xandax feels the knife hit his full plate but does due to his reaction it does not penetrate the flesh.
"To the death" Xandax calls out.
Xandax spins around, slashing his shield, which is firmly mounted on Xandax left arm, towards the assassin's head and in the same motion throws the knife towards the throat of the mage. Xandax follows his thrust towards the assassin though with his sword, still in the left hand.
His amulet shines brighter than ever before.

*****

Stars and stones thinks Faisal, i have no weapon on me and Xandax is alone against this bunch.
Xandax can take care of the dwarf but i need to help in some way.
Grabbing a chair, Faisal smashes it on the back of one of the men and dashes off back to his room looking for his weapons.
The man just hits the floor hard but is up just as quickly, signaling to one of the others to follow and takes off after Faisal.
Taking the steps 3 at a time Faisal enters his room on the second floor and quickly grabs the sword and shield and pivots on his foot to leave the room.
However the men where much faster than Faisal thought as one was standing the in the door way and the other just out side.
Faisal without think slash's at the man in front forcing him out of the room.
*My survival depends on keeping them out of the room and making sure that i can take the on one on one.* thinks Faisal
"Kid ye will pay for attacking me, pay wit' yer blood".
" I don't want a fight, can't we just forget it every happened" asks Faisal
"We will forget about it after we bury you" says the other.
With that the one hit with the chair attempts to enter the room.
Dual wielding a mace and short sword, the man slashes with is sword low and brings his mace up high, thinking that Faisal will use his shield to block the sword leaving him low and unbalanced position. Then he could bring a crushing blow to the back of Faisal's face with is mace.
Faisal saw this and quickly side stepped the sword, brought up his shield to meet the mace, and slashed with is sword through the exposed chest of the brigand.
*Pathetic thinks Faisal, that was such a basic form of fighting.
Well at least the mandatory military training in Calimshite paid off finally.*
The other one seeing the death of his comrade decides to not take a chance and runs off.
Full of youthful foolishness and inexperience Faisal follows him out the door and around the corner, where the man is waiting for him.
*stupid, stupid, stupid!* flash rapidly in Faisals mind.
However the man does not attack.
He waits for Faisal to regain his wits and then says:
"I don't tend to fight you at a disadvantage, if we fight we fight prepared for it"
*this guy has some honor thinks Faisal*
"How about forgetting the whole thing?"
"Not after you killed my friend, get ready to defend your...."
He didn't finish his sentence as 2 drunken men decide to jump him.
And then 2 others join in the fight saying 2 on 1 isn't fair!
*Well that takes care of him* thinks Faisal.
A thought pops into Faisal's mind, * So close to death twice in one day, i better start thinking about which god i should pay homage to.*
Faisal smiling at his good fortune speeds down to see what Xandax is up too.

*****

The assassin deftly sidesteps the shield blow, then brings up his knife to parry the sword thrust. He turns the attack aside, but the blow knocks the dagger out of his hand. In a flash, he pulls out two more weapons, a short sword and a mace.

Meanwhile, Xandax's borrowed dagger flies towards the magi's throat. Inches away it hits an unseen barrier, and falls harmlessly to his feet. A look of annoyance crosses his shadow-covered face, and he lets loose a finger of death at the presumptuous beserker. Xandax winces in pain as he fights off the deadly spell, momentarily vulnerable.

Luckily for him, Faisal chooses that moment to smash the assassin over the head with a chair, sending him sprawling. The assassin recovers quickly, and nodding to the swashbuckler, they race up the stairs after the retreating fighter.

Yells of fear ring through the tavern as the cleric of Cyric brings forth a fearsome skeleton warrior a few feet in front of Xandax. But Xandax is given no time to attack it before it rises, as the dwarven fighter is already on top of him. He swings his axe in a mighty down-left arc intended to split Xandax from shoulder to gut.

*****

"The dagger should have hit is target - something stopped it. Was this guy protected against weapons and if so magical or only normal - or even by a God." The thoughts were many as Xandax saw the dagger fall to the ground.
"AAAARRGG" Xandax fell down - hit by a powerful magical attack. As Xandax lay on the ground he could see that Faisal was gone, so was the assassin and the swashbuckler.
Suddenly a Skeleton Warrior was summoned - but that was the least of Xandax' worries - the dwarf almost atop Xandax about to place his axe deep inside Xandax.
Once again using the combined shield and sword in his left hand as a weapon - Xandax swung his left arm up to block the attack with the shield and simultaneous slash the sword towards the dwarfs torso.

*****

The sword finds an opening next to the dwarf's huge shield, gouging a deep slash in his midsection. Unfortunately, the axe's collision with his shield sends Xandax reeling, unable to follow through and land a deathblow.
"Ye'll pay for that, ye bloody bastard!" the dwarf roars, and charges at Xandax. Xandax marvels that the dwarf could take such a blow and seem none the worse for wear. Another spell flies at Xandax from the mage. For an instant, his limbs freeze in place, and Xandax panics. He manages to fight off the power word stun, but this was bad...at this rate he would soon be overwhelmed. Xandax spots the cleric weaving another spell as the dwarf dashes in, the skeleton warrior close behind. It would be all over if one of them got around behind him...

*****

Fighting to get over the effect of the spell Xandax starts canalising his strength - He feels the bonus of his enrage.
The dwarf bleeding - but not slowed significant. The skeleton warrior. The pries. The mystical mage.
"No more skeletons" Xandax thinks.
In a desperation move - Xandax takes the sword in the right hand and throws it against the cleric, and starts running in the same direction as his sword, narrowly avoiding the lashes of the dwarf and the relative slow skeleton warrior. "Thank God - that the dwarfed is slowed a bit"
With a bit of luck the sword will hit is target with Xandax close behind, able to draw the sword out of the body in a smooth motion.
Xandax notice the name "Ferox" on the blade of the sword is glowing, stronger and stronger.
He has often thought of the sword like a sentient being, and the way the sword hurled through the air reinforced his belief.

*****

As Kierran admired the beauty of the sun rising and dispersing the darkness of the night, he began recollecting what happened earlier while he was out slumming on his own for the first time. It was amazing how he was already familiar with the ins and outs of the slums district even though he was still a newcomer to this strange place. Even Old Fitz was surprised at the rate that Kierran was learning, so much so that he had no more worries about the young lad adventuring around the district on his own. Of course, Kierran didn't tell him that he was a ranger before he arrived here; he was trained by his father from young to adapt to his surroundings as quickly as possible.
He remembered the fight between the guard and the figures dressed in black vividly. He felt helpless that he could not come to the guard's aid at the time, but that soon changed to marvel as he bore witness to one of the most amazing events that he has ever seen. Admittedly, he had never been involved in many fights, but seeing a lone guard taking out a group of thieves (Shadow Thieves, as Old Fitz would call them, though there were other unpleasant names being associated with them as well ) with such ease was breathtaking, to say the least. "I must learn more about that guard," thought Kierran as he gazed upon the bright red colour of the sky. "Ahh...how I long for the tranquility of the forest right now, " he sighed, as he prepared his plans for the day (or shall we say, the night ).
With that done, he took one last look at the sky before finally retiring to his 'bed' .That day, he dreamt of once again being amongst the wood nymphs back in the great Forest of Tethyr

*****

Noticing the commotion Thryn go back inside forgetting about the Drow he goes down to find an almighty brawl, out of instinct he hides, slipping behind a mage getting ready to backstab him, and he begins his powerful assault.
In an instant the mage swivels() and casts a quick spell, Thyins blade only strikes him with its side, Thryn took a few steps back and charged.
The mage seeing this tries the spell again, but it doesn't work, Thryns sword changes the metal becomes elongated and better for piercing, which is what it did, right through the mage's ribs, he twists the sword in case the mage can still cast spells.

*****

The sword flies through the air. At first it seems Xandax's hurried throw has undone him, and the sword will miss wide to the right. But suddenly the letters "Ferox" on the sword glow with a life of their own, and it curves in midair to strike the cleric of Cyric dead on. The sword impales him right through his black heart, killing him instantly before his spell is finished. Xandax dashes over to pull out his sword and counter the dwarf's incoming axe. But a feeling of dread seizes him, and abruptly he knows he won't be able to free the weapon in time.
To his surprise and amazement, the sword slips out of its grave of bone like butter, the engraved letters glowing brightly. His sword freed almost instantly, Xandax has the precious time he needs to block the well-placed axeblow. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he sees the mage point his finger directly at him. Agony rips through Xandax as the finger of death nearly ends his life. Somehow the magi's power was growing...
The breath knocked out of him, Xandax's view of the mage is abruptly obscured by the towering skeleton warrior. Its sword descends toward his head as the dwarf's axe cleaves through the air towards his hip.

*****

Thryn, entering and seeing the lone fighter being attacked by no less than three enemies, decides to even the sides a bit. Quickly ascertaining that the mage is the biggest and most vulnerable threat, he swiftly slips around for a backstab. His attention focused completely on Xandax, the mage doesn't even see the deadly blow coming. The sword elongates and stabs out towards his exposed back...
...and runs right into an invisible wall, the force of the collision sending shudders through Thryn's arm, and causing him to drop his blade. Turning, the mage waves his hand forcefully as if shooing a pest, and Thryn flies backwards through the air to hit the wall with a bone-crushing impact. Stunned and unable to move, Thryn lays in shock trying to fathom how the mage could possess such power...

*****

The plan had worked - somewhat better than anticipated. The sword had hit it's target, and practically jumped into back into his hand when prying it out of the dead clerics body.
But now the engraved "Ferox" wasn't glowing anymore.
"Hmmm - I wonder..." Xandax didn't get to think anymore - the dwarf was over him again. Xandax nearly didn't deflect the blow - then the mage did it again - Xandax fell down with pain and agony.
"He is going to kill me - if I don't get out of there. I got to find out who or what he is". Xandax thought.
Xandax knew that he had to get the dwarf out of the game, so he could find Faisal and get away from the mage, nothing else matter much at this time.
But the immediate threat was from the dwarf and the skeleton. Both were almost atop Xandax as the both made their attack. The skeleton warrior with the obvious height advantage struck down from above towards Xandax's head. The dwarf slashed towards the Xandax hip.
Quickly reasoning that the blow in the head would kill him Xandax reacted.
Moving his shield up to block the blow from the skeleton warrior Xandax made a deadly gamble.
Instead of blocking the attack from the dwarf Xandax let him follow through. Xandax could feel the Axe penetrating his armour and enter his flesh deep. Thanks to the bonuses from his enrage, which were still active - it didn't slow him much. At the same time as he felt the axe from the dwarf hit him - he slashed out with his sword aiming for the dwarfs weapon arm.
Meanwhile Xandax heard his mothers voice in his head: "Remember the amulet, remember effingo statua" Xandax didn't know what this meant.

*****

Seeing Xandax being attacked by the dwarf and skeleton, Faisal rushes to his aid.
Coming directly behind the Dwarf and skeleton, but they did not notice him as the din in the room is very loud due to all the fighting in the coronet.
Faisal slams his shield into the dwarf sending him flying over Xandax and slashes his sword through the rib cage of the skeleton which turns to dust.
Standing over Xandax, Faisal inspects his wounds, seeing that the dwarfs axe had penetrated deep, Faisal starts to move Xandax out of the way so he is safe.
However his sword flashes a deep green, Faisal ducks and brings his large shield over his body at a 45 degree angle to block any attack.
Faisal feels the axe smash against the shield with such force that he loses his balance and slips with the shield falling on top of him.
The sudden loss of the shield as a counter balance, the dwarf is also over balanced and falls on top of Faisal.
However he is up quick and pivots to face Faisal, who is also at this point on his feet.
The dwarf is wounded but still more than able to fight.
*Boy this is going to take all my training to win this one.*
A strange thought enters Faisal mind:
*Luck is the key to any battle, luck...luck...luck...*

*****

The axe bites deep into Xandax's left side, just above the hip. A deadly gamble that luckily doesn't leave him dead. The magical blade shears through his lower abdomen, goring a kidney before it stops halfway through. The wound immediately begins spurting blood like a fountain, but Xandax doesn't take notice. For at the same time his blade is carving through the flesh and bone of the dwarf's axe arm, leaving it permanently dismembered. The dwarf howls in pain, but still he doesn't fall. His eyes shine with beserker intensity as he drops his shield and tugs his axe out of Xandax's side. Xandax stabs out with his sword again, but collapses, his strength gone. He waits in a daze for the descending axe to end his life as his mother's voice echoes through his head: Remember the amulet, remember effingo statua...
Faisal's shield charge saves his life. The dwarf is sent sprawling across Xandax's line of sight. Then everything goes black...

*****

The dwarf pants heavily, holding his axe in his good hand, his other arm completely mangled. He charges Faisal, but it is a banzai charge, a last resort. The blow doesn't have that incredible strength behind it, as the one before. Faisal easily blocks it, then grimly swings for the dwarf's neck. With his axe overextended, and his shield gone, the dwarf can only fall into oblivion as his head is sliced from his body to roll onto the floor.
A veteran of battle, Faisal is nonetheless sickened by the gruesome sight.
Suddenly, he feels the piercing gaze of another. Spinning around, he comes eye to eye with the red-robed mage. He smiles from the depths of his hood, daring Faisal to attack.

*****

Getting up from the mage's powerful attack, Thryn saw it getting ready to attack the young warrior, he got out of his bow and shot at the mage, it did nothing but enrage him, good.
Using the speed from his boots he ran round the mage, getting him to shot Thryn, then Thryn jumped high near the ceiling and the mage shot another spell at him in mid air, the spell missed Thryn and made the ceiling cave in...

*****

Virdel blinked, clearing the soot from his eyes that the fire ball had created. As he did so, he caught the faint glimmer of a person magicing himself away from the seen of the battle. It took very little convincing to realize that was the Magi the Thieves had been sent to attack. It was also a clear sign he had made a powerful enemy by attack the Fiend. He gave his head a brief shake, clearing his thoughts slightly, and re-orientating himself to his surroundings. He pushed himself up from the ground, his legs somewhat shaky, but still usable. He made his way to the door, considering what to do next.

The Guild war had been escalating as of late, and pretty soon, it would erupt into the streets. Perhaps Virdel would take Ferchen up on her offer to join the Rangers. It would offer some support to himself, and he would be following a path he agreed with. The offer seemed more enticing then before, but chose to see what happened next. As he made his way down the street, another thought crossed his mind. What were the Rangers doing in Athkatla? Virdel rubbed his forehead in confusion, and continued walking. He wanted to get out of the streets before he ran into anyone, especially that Wizard.

Turning one final corner, he turned into a small building, just outside of the Bridge district. this was where he called home, for now at least. He made his way into the modest living space, and loosened his sword belt. Tossing it off to the side, and crawled himself into the hammock he had set up on the far wall. He closed his eyes, and let himself fall into a deep slumber, weary from the past days events. As he faded into sleep, one last thought crossed his mind. What were the Shadow Thieves chasing a Wizard of such power for?

*****

Xandax feeling his strength dwindling due the loose of a significant amount of blood falls down onto the floor. Unconscious.
Xandax starts to dream:
Xandax was flying through the air at tremendous speed. Over the land, forests, plains and great cities alike. He knew the land - he was backtracking his decade long journey. Finally he reach a familiar land, he reached home. The keep in Daggerdale he had lived in as a child with his mother and stepfather.
Suddenly a blot of dark energy hit him and he fell to the ground the impact blackened his vision.
When Xandax once again could open his eyes - he was tied to a pole in his fathers tower. A dark tower build on dark magic.
"So you thought you could defeat me, you of all people."
Xandax saw his father - a hideous figure. Dark magic had deformed him and his face barely resembled that of a human. Even orcs would turn from such a face.
"You are my blood, nobody else - you are mine."
Xandax tried to speak but it was impossible.
"Look at your arms - see your blood - look"
Xandax looked at his arms and saw a dark fluid dripping out of his veins. He wanted to scream but no sound was made.
The figure that was his father walk around Xandax.
"So you've enlisted the help of "Ferox" - how quaint." He laughed. "I forged this sword - decades ago, it is a tool of evil".
"But who cares really - now you are going to die, so I can return again, like times before you. I need essence - you should realize by now that fighting me is futile"
"It is time - I reclaimed my blood"
Suddenly a bright light appeared - Xandax saw his mother.
"You will not have him - we have trained him well, he will defeat you, as he did last time" she said.
"No - he is mine, he is mine"
Xandax saw the sword - the engraved "Ferox" started to shine with bright white light.
"Look" his mother said to his father "It is starting again"
"NOOOO HE IS MINE"
Xandax saw the sword moving on it's own - it stood hilt towards the ground while the blade pointed upwards - it started to rotate.
"The sword has chosen" his mother said.
The sword flew towards his father and went through him and landed next to Xandax"
Then all became white, bright white - it was impossible to see.
Next thing Xandax saw was a peaceful meadow. He was untied of his ropes. The sword was by his side.
The vision of his mother appeared again.
"Keep fighting - we will be together again when the time is right. It is not yet."
"But what, where, why, who are you" Xandax stuttered.
"Trust your own mind - who am I"
"Mother?"
"Yes"
"What is this, where am I"
"You are inside yourself - you are home"
"Why am I here"
"You almost died - it was the time for your father to take your essence so he could live again. He failed - your will is strong, but I knew that"
"What is this sword...this "Ferox""
"It is the tool, your father created long ago to help him in his quest for immortality. He imbued it with powerful magic, so powerful that it sometimes becomes sentient - the sword has chosen you now"
"But how....."
"You will learn. You must also learn to use your amulet. It can be powerful. This is enough for now - you must return, we will talk again when it is time. Head my words though effingo statua
The words faded out as Xandax once again was flying through the air - this time the opposite way - back to Athkatla.

*****

Xandax wakes up, gasping, lying on the floor in the Coronet. He feels his open wound.
"Faisal - we got to get out of here - now - this mage is to powerful, we must withdraw.

*****

The magi's intent stare is broken by an incoming arrow. Annoyed by the interruption, he flings a shiny little ball at the irksome elf. It misses, and hits the wall to explode in a powerful blast. He launches a second one just as Thryn hurdles over his head, and it crashes into the ceiling with a resounding boom. Rickety to begin with, the ceiling gives away in a four feet radius, collapsing right over the mage. To no one's surprise, the huge chunks of rock merely bounce off the magi's potent shield.
Just then, the swashbuckler, free of the mob, comes running down the stairs. He gapes at the destruction around him, and the bodies of his dead companions.
He turns toward the mage. "Derlaz! What the hell happened here?"
The mage speaks, his voice calm and powerful. "Obviously, your fellows got themselves killed."
The swashbuckler is taken aback. "You...you're not even hurt." He looks at Thryn, Faisal, and the unconscious Xandax. "If they were good enough to kill our companions, how do you still stand? Unless...YOU BETRAYED THEM!" The swashbuckler charges at the mage. Some instinct, some gut feeling, tells Faisal and Thryn not to follow suit.
The mage calmly, slowly, raises his hand, his index finger outstretched. Just as the swashbuckler swings his blade, the mage says but one word.
"Die."
The swashbuckler collapses, life forever gone from his honorable eyes.
"Now for you fools..." the mage says, smiling as he turns to face his remaining foes.
"Faisal - we got to get out of here - now - this mage is too powerful, we must withdraw," speaks Xandax, now awake, with great effort.
Suddenly, the magi's attention is caught by a teleportation gate forming in their midst. Out steps a powerful-looking wizard clad in a translucent, multi-colored robe.
"NOW's our chance," whispers Xandax. "Let's get out of here while he's distracted."

*****

With great pain Xandax stands up, sword in hand ready to face his final adversary.
Suddenly another mage is teleporting into the Copper Coronet.
"Now is our chance" Xandax whispers to Faisal.
Stumbling around Xandax slowly exits the Coronet.
"Where to go, I need to see a healer" Xandax thought.
The temple on top of the Coronet had seen better days due to the mages magical attack that almost brought the roof down.
Xandax collapses on the street of combined exhaustion and the loss of blood but somehow due to willpower manages to stay conscious

*****