Rail awoke with a start! He immediately glanced down at his leg, expecting to see the open wound he had when he lost consciousness. The leg was healed. The crackled skin on his right hand had returned to normal, though his rune-covered left hand had never seemed affected. He clenched the scarred fist and the runes seemed to glow ever-so-slightly with faint traces of power. Rail shook his head and frowned. He still hadn't made up his mind whether he has chosen correctly...

*Ahem* Aerie cleared her throat and the assassin whirled around, knife already in hand. Aerie gasped, halting her step, tray in hand. She was still several paces away and Rail knew she had plenty of ability to defend should the need arise, but the gentle elf had never been a threat. "My apologies, lady Aerie," Rail muttered, returning the knife to its sheath.

"None needed, Rail." Aerie smiled weakly. Though a friend of her husband, she never felt comfortable around the assassin. A dark cloud always seemed to hang over the human's head, leaving her feeling slightly cold and empty. "Here, drink this." She set a tray down next to the man and stood attentively, arms folded.

Rail glanced at the tray and the clear liquid in the glass. "What is it?" He gingerly stood up, though his limbs seemed more than able to support him. It was as if he had slept for a day.

"It's water," Aerie said smiling pleasantly. "Such powerful healing spells often leave one rather dehydrated."

Rail nodded with a bleak smile and downed the drink in a couple of gulps. Checking his weapons and adjusting their balance, he turned to the elf, somewhat hesitant with his words. "Thank you for your aid once again, Aerie." He truly appreciated her clerical powers; though he also knew she wielded the damning power of the arcane as well. That such innocence could hold such a corrupting power saddened his heart.

"Of course!" Her smile seemed to stay from her eyes, though it was certainly genuine. Rail knew she wasn't sure what to make of such a man whose outlook on life differed so greatly from her own. "Magus would want you to join his as soon as you are able."

"Very well," Rail replied, donning his travel-worn cloak. "Lead on."



They left the booth. The door opened as they approached, and in stepped Magus wearily with Void trailing behind. His look was grim, but his eyes twinkled slyly with triumph. Spotting Aerie and Rail heading towards him, he beckoned them to follow outside. He led them into a small, darkened alcove between two buildings. "Good to see you've recovered, friend," Magus began, his voice somewhat distant and occupied.

-Bah. His kind are like rats. Harm them within an inch of life and they bounce right back-

"How went your meeting with the Cowled Wizards?" Aerie chimed in.

Magus smiled without warmth. "They were about as friendly as you suspected. But before the threats began I learned something interesting. They said that not long ago the Shadow Thieves and Black Helm had been the ones plotting the destruction of the Cowled Wizards. But one of their outside contacts warned them. Presumably the Wizards then cowed the Black Helm into switching sides for a retaliation strike. It could all be a lie, of course, but there seemed to be a genuine fury in Corellan's words when he spoke of it. It's definitely worth investigating before we thrust ourselves irrevocably into the middle of this."

*****

"IT'S AN AMBUSH!" screamed Calahan, his hand pulling out his halberd in one swift motion. Around him, the carefully planned attack force became visible under the fiery attack laid by the assaulting thieves. Within the ranks of the Black Helm, chaos broke out. Calahan's voiced was heard atop it all, barking orders to his disorganized men. It took only a minute to get control of his men, and issue a counter-attack. Men within the ranks began to un-sling bows from over their shoulders, and quickly notch arrows into towards the rooftops.

Around the group, Thieves began to emerge from buildings flanking the streets, swords drawn. Every now and then, a sudden cry for help from a Black Helm soldier could be heard as another Shadow Thief would appear from no where, sometimes striking the man down where he stood, other times the soldier reacting quickly enough to parry the deadly strike. The Black Helm may've had the superior equipment, and training in the ways of prolonged battles, but the Shadow Thieves abilities to strike from the darkness, and with the deft quickness of the wind, the Warriors found themselves hard- pressed to retaliate.

The Battle mages that the Cowled Wizards had loaned the Black Helm were not taken by surprise at this assault. They had expected the Thieves may've tried to do something like this, and already had the proper contingencies planned. As the first barrage of arrows dropped from over head, the four mage's figures became engulfed in a magical blue sphere of crackling energy, and several layers of stone covered their bodies, protecting them from the deadly, piercing arrows. In almost the same motion, the chanting of magic could be heard, the sight of magical bolts of energy erupted from their finger tips, exploding among the roof tops, sending some Thieves sprawling the ground level, several metres down.

Virdel watched all of this, a bit of a sly grin on his face. His thoughts were primarily of how ironic it was that the secret attacker had become the attacked. He also wondered if he should help in the decision of the battle, and as to what side he would aid. Several minutes had passed, and the Black Helm had begun to regain a foothold, and fight back with the organization of their training, and with the ferocity of a cornered animal. The Thieves began to be beaten back by the Helm's newfound tenacity, and it quickly became obvious to the Dark Elf as to what side he would aid. As he drew his scimitars, he sent a silent prayer to any god that was listening, and hoped that Ferchen was planning to do what he thought. He would need her help in the near future.

HE leapt from the roof of the low building he was on, and pierced into the fierce melee like a ferocious shadow, intent on spilling the blood of those who stood in his way. He sprinted to the nearest group of thieves, who were fighting desperately for their survival against a score of Black Helm soldiers. He ran in from behind the Thieves, and used his powerful legs to propel him into the battle, thrusting his two scimitars towards the lead soldier. This new opponent was taken completely off guard from the attack, and was cut down before any measures could be taken to defend himself. The appearance of the Drow surprised both the Shadow Thieves, and Black Helm, though none stopped to watch the swift Dark Elf fight.

Virdel stood over top the lead guard, the mans throat a mess of red blood. He snapped his head around, towards the next closest enemy. Virdel dug his heel into the fallen man's breastplate, using it to gain leverage, and launched himself towards the next man, who was ready. As Virdel flew through the air, he held his two scimitars crossed, in an X formation. This proved to be beneficial, as the man decided to thrust his sword towards the lilth form of the Drow. The Long sword glanced harmlessly off the crossed blades, and slid towards the ground. Virdel continued with his own attack, dropping his left scimitar, pinning his enemies' sword to the ground, and using his other scimitar to attack the man's exposed face. His attack was a success, as he saw a bright red streak form across his opponents' face, his blade effectively killing the man in one deft swing. He spun on his heel, barely reacting in time against the incoming attack from a Black Helm warrior who had snuck up on him. He leapt back, just as the bright blue weapon came crashing down onto the man Virdel had just slain.

Calahan raised his halberd just as quickly as he swung it, quickly arcing it towards Virdel's tiny body. Virdel, again, leapt back, the blade of the weapon coming within inches of his chest. Virdel didn't stop to think back to the battle he had watched this man win single-handily earlier in the week. Instead, his mind was racing for ideas on how to stop the significantly larger, and stronger man. Virdel quickly slammed his blade down on the passing halberd, hoping to split the shaft in half. His hopes were shattered as he watched his own magical blade rebound with a reverberating sound off the enchanted halberd.

*****

Lying on the floor, Xandax saw the dagger; it would have hit him in the head if he had not been fortunately enough to dodge it. Looking up he saw the assassin; Xandax quickly got up, and extracted his sword from its sheet. The assailant had disappeared. Xandax moved slowly forward down the hall – then he heard the sound of running. Ten or so men in leather armour came around the corner, wielding swords, daggers and some with bows. He turned around and ran down the hall as arrows whistled by him, and some struck his armour.

Further up, Xandax saw another ten men turn the corner. He was trapped in the middle of the hallway – with ten battle ready men on each end. Xandax noticed some of the men grinning. They had known there wouldn't be many people at these halls.

Both groups of men started walking slowly towards Xandax. Then 2 men started running towards him – apparently they were overeager, and Xandax cut them both down with ease. The other men halted for a moment, but started walking towards Xandax again.

They would not attack alone again.

Xandax amulet glowed brightly. "No really" he thought annoyed. He cleared his mind of all emotions. He had to find a way out, and fast. Being on the third floor, he knew he wouldn't survive an escape through the windows. The weight of his armour would crush him on impact. Then Xandax noticed the door towards an office, but it was unfortunely on the other side of one of the groups. He knew he had to get inside that office to survive, at least for a while.

Xandax canalized his strengths and went into enrage. All feelings had now left him; all emotions were gone, he felt the benefits of it, his awareness were higher than ever before.

Xandax cried out, and charged the group nearest to the door. As Xandax' rushed, both groups of men did the same.

* * * * *

Calahan raised his halberd just as quickly as he swung it, quickly arcing it towards Virdel's tiny body. Virdel, again, leapt back, the blade of the weapon coming within inches of his chest. Virdel didn't stop to think back to the battle he had watched this man win single-handedly earlier in the week. Instead, his mind was racing for ideas on how to stop the significantly larger, and stronger man. Virdel quickly slammed his blade down on the passing halberd, hoping to split the shaft in half. His hopes were shattered as he watched his own magical blade rebound with a reverberating sound off the enchanted halberd.

Virdel leapt back, just in time to avoid another deadly slash.

"You fight like a bad dancer, drow." Calahan rushed forward, sweeping low with his halberd. Virdel cleared the attack with a standing leap, flying towards him with blades upraised. But in one smooth motion Calahan brought the haft around, blocking the twin blows. Virdel danced sideways, avoiding a well-measured kick.

The armored punch came out of nowhere, contacting his head with a dull thud and sending the drow sprawling to the ground. "Got him good, sir." The words seemed to drift across Virdel's dazed mind. "Imbecile!" Virdel heard the rasp of cleaving metal, than the dull ring of heavy plate hitting the ground.

"I'll suffer no cowards in my company." Calahan glanced at the drow's prostrate form, and then reluctantly walked away. He had a battle to win. His soldiers had the enemy routed. Only a few pockets of thieves were still fighting in the streets. But the snipers on the rooftops were proving bothersome.

He saw a group of guards finish off a nearby thief. "YOU THERE! GET IN GEAR AND FLUSH THOSE BERKS OUT!"

A collective "Yes Sir!" went up, they then hurried into the nearest building. Another group followed their example and took the building opposite. Calahan nodded in satisfaction. Enough sneaking around, he thought. It was about time they did this the old-fashioned away. Turning, he saw only two of the four mages remained standing. Wimps. "We need some damn light so we can see our blasted enemies. Think you can do that?"

The wizards grumbled, not in the mood to be bossed around by some glorified grunt, but nonetheless complied. The sky lit up like mid-afternoon, exposing thief and guard alike. The useless invisibility spell had worn off, revealing scores of men in multi-colored plate. The sight was enough to make Calahan grimace in embarrassment.

* * * * *

"To the death" Xandax cried out, and charged the group nearest to the door.

As Xandax rushed, both groups did the same. His amulet flashed with a blinding blue light, and suddenly a vision swam before his eyes. He saw himself charge into the mass of thieves. One fell, two fell, half a dozen fell, and it seemed he might make it through. Then the blades began snaking their way past his armor, slicing into him in a dozen places. He stumbled, and then fell into the welcoming darkness.

All at once he was back, charging into the mass of thieves. Confused and bewildered, he did the first thing that came to mind. He turned and hurled himself through the nearest window. Glass bit into his exposed skin, and the cobblestones rushed up to engulf him in their rocky embrace. He hit the ground with bone crushing force, the impact sending him rolling hard into the side of a nearby building. Then it all stopped, and Xandax dazedly realized he was somehow still alive. Sitting up, he discovered himself more or less intact. He looked down to see his amulet glowing like never before...

* * * * *

Aerie nodded, with a nervous glance at the shadowy surroundings of the alley. "So what are we doing next?"

Magus continued. "Thryn is meeting with Aran, so all that's left is to assess the Black Helm's true role in this conflict. If they confirm what the Cowled Wizards said, then the Shadow Thieves were probably behind all of this after all. But first, I'd like to hear what Rail found out before his bout with Lazal."

Though the signs must have been fairly obvious, Magus's dead-accurate intuition never failed to surprise Rail. He grimaced at the recollection of the confrontation with the evil spell caster, his face darkening with traces of contempt, hatred, and vengeance. He shook his head, not sure where to start. "He is not what he seems, my friend."

Magus' brow furrowed, but he simply waited for the assassin to continue. Aerie sat on a nearby empty crate, listening intently to the conversation. Rail brushed his scarred hand through his hair and continued distantly. "The man interweaves the magic of the arcane with the magic of the divine. It is something I have never seen before. He is not exactly a wizard, but he's far from a cleric. I don't understand. It's as if he wields a power from another source." Rail glanced up as the half-elf raised an eyebrow at his last comment. "Look at me like that if you wish, you should know me better..."

Magus put up his hands defensively. "My friend, I meant no disrespect..."

But it was Rail's turn to interrupt, shaking his head in self-annoyance. "I know. I'm sorry, Magus. It's been a long day, and I'm a little strung out."

Magus smiled in sympathy. "I think we all fall into that category, my friend, but we can ill afford to rest. There is to be an attack upon the Thieves this very night."

Aerie gasped.

Rail looked up with a start. "Are you certain?" Before Magus could answer, the assassin waved off the question, moving on. "Lazal, seemed unconcerned about impending events. He went about his routine just as he had the day before. Study, rituals, practice. It was as if he was detached about the impending guild war. As if someone else..." His voice trailed off in thought.

Magus patiently waited for his friend to continue, filing all the bits of spoken information into his mind, hoping... no, expecting to make sense of it all.

Rail sighed in frustration. "He seems to be in constant communication with someone."

"Who?" Aerie chimed in. She had slid off the crate and strode over to Magus, putting her arm lovingly around his waist.

"Who or what," Rail added with a puzzled expression. "I don't know for sure, but he seemed to be taking direction from someone. It was as if he was in constant communication with his, directed from hit, maybe a puppet for him." Rail sighed again, shaking his head with a frown. "I just don't know. Maybe Lazal isn't the greatest of our worries. Maybe he's just a puppet. A figurehead. I just don't know." He glanced up at the pair, another thought entering his head. "You must know, Magus, I didn't start this fight."

Magus could tell his friend was rather exhausted, mentally, despite the effects of Aerie's heal spell. The assassin's thoughts were bouncing from subject to subject. Fortunately, Magus didn't need continuity of thought to connect ideas and information. "Continue," he prodded his friend.

"He knew I was there." Rail shrugged in both frustration and confusion. "Somehow, and I don't know how, but he could tell approximately where I was. And I can avoid all detection! All! I was hidden perfectly, Magus, mind and body, but somehow he could sense about where I was. It was almost as if he was told..." The assassin again drifted off in thought.

With another prompt from Magus, Rail detailed the events of the battle, from the moment the golem burst through the wall to Lazal's final spell. Magus took it all in, asking only a few clarifying questions of the beleaguered assassin. Things were beginning to become much clearer to the sorcerer, but he did not like the direction his thoughts were taking him.

Rail concluded his story with an annoyed warning, "And Magus, you must know! Lazal wants me to betray..."

Magus gasped, perking up alertly as if hearing a distant trumpet call. "Magic! It is beginning all too early!" Rail and Aerie gave puzzled looks toward the half-elf sorcerer. but Magus had little time to explain. "The battle begins! Come! Let us depart."

With a thought and an absent gesture, the familiar teleportation magic's surrounded the three, and they disappeared from the alley to the strategic location Magus knew they would shortly be needed.

*****

Xandax got up after his, well it should have been fall, but was - well he didn't know.

Xandax looked at his amulet, and sent a silent thanks to his late mother. He didn't expect his amulet to hold more powers than he had already found out, though in his thoughts he kept remembering his mothers words "the true power of your amulet? - Just remember the words: effingo statua "

Quickly snapping back into reality Xandax looked up at the window which he jumped out of, he then noticed a band of men, properly part of the thieves attack on the building - they looked at Xandax with disbelief, they couldn't imagine a full armoured man "falling" out of a window on the third floor, just getting up with minor bruises. They looked at each other and then ran off.

Trying to gather his thoughts, arrows started to rain down upon Xandax from broken windows on the floor where Xandax were a moment ago. Running to get out of the line of fire, Xandax knew he had to find this mage, Magus. The thieves had known about the Helms plans.

Whether somebody inside the Helms, or maybe inside the mage organization, or by some third party had tipped them off, Xandax didn't know. Maybe even this other mage, Lazal or something, were interested in all three factions getting weakened. There must have been a higher meaning for this attack, both from the Helms and wizards and from the thieves. This was getting confusing. He ran down the streets of Athkatla towards the Copper Coronet. As always this seemed as the place to find somebody, either in the temple where the priests knew about Magus and in the tavern where Magus also seemed known.

As Xandax ran he heard sounds of battle - it must have been skirmishes between thieves and helmsmen, Xandax didn't care much right now, he was still shocked from his previously encounter with the ground. Xandax started to rationalize again - this Magus surrounded himself with strange people, this elf-women that had healed Magus' other friend, an assassin, whom to Xandax seemed dark at heart. And now a drow fighter, another possible dark assassin and a cleric in training. And of course himself - a strange group of people, all seemingly banding together to fight for something, or against something, nobody seemed to now what was.

Xandax reached the district wherein the Copper Coronet was located - all was quite, people were keeping indoors this night - Xandax didn't blame them.

It started to rain; Xandax welcomed the water onto his face.

*****

Virdel watched Calahan as the large man carelessly turned his back on the Drow, oblivious to the deadly prowess of Virdel's blades. He slowly rose to his feet, careful not to attract the attention of Calahan, or his nearest lackeys. He noticed the big man distracted by his troops suddenly appearing in a wash of rainbow coloured armour. Virdel flinched slightly as the stinging pain of the last hit finally found it's way to his mind. He didn't let it stop him. He brought his right scimitar in front of him, Lash- bearer, and callously ran his finger over the bottomless black gem on the hilt. As he did so, his mind focused on the image of the power Earth Elemental. He wished this was not needed, but with the way the Thieves were being beaten back, he knew it was the only course of action available. A deep green mist then encircled Virdel's feet, and seeped all around him, entrenching everyone in a thick fog.

Calahan took a great deal of notice to this, and spun on his heel, his smug look turned to that of anger as he saw the Drow standing strong, and defiant. He saw the way Virdel held is one weapon forth, full of pride, and strength. Beside the Drow, he saw the Mist. Thinking it was only a trick cast by the Dark Elf to confuse his senses, Calahan charged forth, eager to strike the Drow the down. The blazing blue halberd came closer to Virdel, yet he didn't flinch. He knew what was going to happen.

When Calahan was mere inches from striking the Dark Elf down, a large stone fist came charging out of the mist, striking down on Calahan's weapon. The halberd slammed to the ground, but it's magical properties keeping it from shattering. The large Elemental came lumbering out of the mists, bits of dirt, and gems crusted onto its large form. It's eyes showed nothing but the blind obedience to his master. It lumbered forth a few more steps, towards Calahan. The large man did nothing but snarl, and raise his weapon again. He let another mighty swing of his weapon crash down on the large earthly monster, chipping bits of rock to the ground.

By this time, several of Calahan's men came charging forth, in order to help their commander. A score of men began to hack at the Elemental, chipping bits of rock off, and slowing it, if only slightly. The large creature didn't feel any of it. It continued to bound forth, sending its fists in any direction it chose. Every now and then, the body of a Black Helm soldier could be seen above the rest of the melee, as the Elemental flung its enemies around.

Virdel, too, now joined the fray, his scimitars working in perfect unison. A wash of blood and steel was all that was seen as the Drow cut a swath of death through the group. Each cut and slash was made with such precision; barely a man could raise his weapon to defend against such an attack. Eventually, he fought his way back to Calahan, standing before the large, smug warrior for a second time. He wouldn't be so careless this time though. The predictable swing of the Halberd came earlier this time, and Virdel merely jumped back. Instead of waiting for the next attack though, Virdel launched himself forward, forcing his shoulder into the large man's chest. He felt the tough metal armour bite deep into his arm, but he ignored the pain. This sudden attack knocked Calahan backwards, but he quickly reasserted himself, and prepared for another attack. Virdel was quicker though. Already, the drows twin scimitars were blazing a path towards the man, one aimed for Calahan's wrist, the other hooking around to the back of the mans knee. Quickly spinning the scimitar so that the dull edge would impact the back of Calahan's knee, he hooked it. The other scimitar was merely a distraction, and Virdel knew it worked when he heard the resounding clang of metal, and Calahan's brief chuckle. Virdel finished the movement, and forced the scimitar back, towards him, sending Calahan off balance, and stumbling backwards. The large man had not expected such an attack, and was caught off guard. Virdel charged his shoulder forth again, knocking Calahan to the ground.

*****

As Virdel and Calahan fought, two of the Black Helm soldiers decided to wait, and see if their commander would need their help. As they watched the man fall, they nodded to each other, and advanced forth, weapons at the ready. They charged in, behind the Drow, weapons poised to make a killing blow, both their faces contorted in a grimace of hate. As the two men neared the Drow's exposed back, the twang of arrows could be heard from the distance. Whistling through the air, both arrows notched their way firmly into the Warriors backs. On both the arrows, the symbol of Mielikki was etched...

*****

Virdel charged his shoulder forth again, knocking Calahan to the ground. His helm rolled across the ground, and for the first time Virdel got a glance at his grim, scarred face. He charged in for the finishing blow, one scimitar descending on his exposed head and the other angling toward his hip. As the blades streaked towards their mark, Calahan's arms shot out and caught each in his armored hands. Blood trickled from the severed metal.

Something kept Virdel's hands firmly on his blades, something kept his eyes glued to his opponent's. For a second they just stared like that, taking each other's measure. Then Calahan's grip on the scimitars relaxed, his hands dropping to his side. "So it ends... Then finish me, drow, and revel in your carnage." His voice was resigned, laced with contempt. But whether for himself or his foe, Virdel couldn't tell.

"Magus!" came a sudden cry nearby.

* * * * *

The three watched from a rooftop as the battle ebbed back and forth. Aerie urged Magus to do something, but he merely shook his head. Rail wondered what was going on in his mind, but he gave no indication.

Suddenly Magus jerked in surprise.

"What is it?" Aerie exclaimed, hand on his soldier, her face drawn up with anxiety.

"Such a vile presence..." he muttered, shaking his head repeatedly. "Could it be the elemental?"

Aerie started as his hand shot out without warning, a huge bolt of swirling energy sent streaking towards the rampaging creature. It engulfed it on impact with a blinding flash, and a second later nothing remained but a smoldering pile of rubble.

"No, it's still there..." he murmured, his face darkened by the grim realization.

* * * * *

Reaching the Copper Coronet Xandax noticed some city guards standing around arguing.

Not paying attention to him Xandax ran inside the Coronet, looking for Magus. Nobody had seen him since he left last time with the elf woman and the assassin. Xandax walked outside – the guards were still there, Xandax decided to confront them. "We were ambushed by thieves," one of them told Xandax, noticing the Black Helm insignia on his armour.

"There were countless masses of them, emerging from every dark corner," another said.

"They even had enlisted drow" the first interrupted.

Xandax immediately though of Aegis, and reasoned that it might be a place to find Magus. He got directions to the location – and quickly ran off towards it, two of the guards apparently thinking Xandax was running to join the battle followed him – they wouldn't let a mercenary show them of in bravery. The city was quiet as Xandax ran through the alleys. Only distant sounds of battle floated in the air.

He arrived to the point explained – it was horrible – corpses everywhere. Xandax had not seen so many dead since the campaigns in Cormyr. A few people were still fighting scatter around, but it was clear the battle was over. Then Xandax noticed the drow standing above Calahan, standing with scimitars ready to end the life of Calahan when instructed so by the drow.

*****

Virdel stood, looming above the fallen warrior. He was slightly taken aback by the man's sudden willingness to die. Perhaps, Virdel thought to himself, he had some sort of honour, however twisted it may've been. Virdel shook all the thoughts out of his mind. The battle was still raging on around them, and he couldn't afford to wait any longer. Spinning his scimitar in his hand, he grasped the hilt firmly, and slammed the flat of his blade onto Calahan's waiting face. The large man merely slumped into a deep slumber, one that he would wake from hours later.

Virdel quickly turned on his heel, leaving the comatose man on the ground. The battle was almost over. A few pockets of fighting were still around, but nothing overly dangerous. He glanced over to where the Elemental should've been, but noticed it had finally been defeated, a small cloud of dust was still lingering over top the pile of rubble. To Virdel, it appeared as if his intervention was the deciding point of the ambush. HE stood with his usual competent look, and surveyed the field. His keen Drow eyes didn't find it difficult to spot the two fletching that were protruding from two of the fallen Helm's men. A small smile etched onto his face, and silently thanked Ferchen and her Rangers for helping.

The Thieves had pushed the rest of the Black Helm back, and the battle was over. Both sides were badly decimated, having taken horrible casualties. Down the streets, Virdel could here the cries for vengeance as the Black Helm brigade fled. The few remaining Shadow Thieves slowly made their way to the mysterious Drow, who had callously thrown himself into a battle, they felt, he had no obligation to. The usual apprehension of people when coming into contact with a Dark Elf fled their tired, and beaten bodies for the time being, and they were all eager to find out the reason for the Drow's timely intervention.

One such Thief approached Virdel, beads of sweat covered his brow, and a thin trickle of blood traced its way down the man's forehead. "I am Tiras, lieutenant of the Shadow Thieves. Who are you, and why did you help us?" Tiras stood in front of Virdel patiently, a dumbfounded look upon his face. He had obviously thought no help would come, especially from a third party, such as Virdel.

"I am Virdel Mae'Shar. I am working with Arch-Mage, Magus. We learned of a plot by the Black Helm to eliminate you, and were trying to find a way to avoid it." Virdel looked about at the beleaguered faces. "But it seems you knew well in advance."

"We have are sources." Came Tiras response.

*****

Magus looked back across the battlefield. Bodies lay strewn everywhere, and there weren't many left to fight, on either side. Their attack foiled, the sparse remnants of the Black Helm force began to retreat.

Abruptly he felt the disturbing presence dissipate. He couldn't sense its power, only an aura of great evil. It was like it was there, but not really. Aerie watched his expression turn from grim to troubled. She walked away a few steps, deciding it best to leave him to his thoughts. He would say what was on his mind when he was ready. Looking down, she saw a group of thieves approach a confident-looking warrior. She recognized the drow from the Copper Coronet. Occupied with Rail before, she had taken little notice. But watching him now, standing amidst the carnage cool and composed, completely unaffected, the bile rose in her throat.

"There's that drow," she finally spoke stiffly, rousing Magus from his thoughts. He gazed down and observed a bit as Virdel talked to thieves. Judging by the blood on his armor, he hadn't been a mere bystander.

"Let's see what's going on." Rail and Aerie nodded, Void hovering behind silently.

* * * * *

A swirl of magical energy suddenly formed a few meters away. The thieves readied their weapons, some sliding around the side with short swords drawn while others fitted bows. Virdel prepared to rush the magic users before they could pull off any spells.

They relaxed somewhat when Magus appeared, followed by a couple of others. Void hovered overhead, seen only by Virdel.

Magus nodded his head in greeting to the thieves, then looked at Virdel. He was drenched in blood, though his injuries were slight. The worst was an ugly black bruise forming near his temple.

"I see you've been busy," Magus remarked.

* * * * *

Thryn crouched in the safety of the shadows as Virdel approached the group of thieves. He had no idea where to find Magus, so he figured he'd just follow the drow for now. Sooner or later he'd lead him back to Magus.

Apparently sooner, for a moment later Magus appeared just a few feet away from his hiding place. Thryn decided to wait a minute to see what they'd say.

* * * * *

A couple of soldiers lifted Calahan on their shoulders as the column retreated. As they withdrew, a few guards recognized the dark elf as that afternoon's intruder in the headquarters. Rumor reached the ears of the two remaining Cowled Wizards, who teleported away to report it to their superiors.

* * * * *

Xandax stood and watched Virdel knocking Calahan unconscious. He was puzzled by this behaviour, this drow fighter had often expressed contempt for other people's lives, but maybe there was not enough "sport" in it, to kill him that way – Xandax didn't know.

Xandax surveyed the battle scene, and told the 2 Helmsmen that had followed him, to pick up Calahan and take him back to the compound, or what was left of it. Looking around at the bodies – Xandax felt disgusted at the dead bodies. His exploits were often more honour bound than a simple ambush and civil war. Hunting monsters or outlaws that had broken the laws of rightful rulers did not compare to this … waste of life.

Xandax sheathed his sword, and unstrapped his shield. His amulet was dull, so Xandax thought himself safe. He saw the drow again, talking to the one of the thieves – as darkness to darkness, was Xandax' initial thought. Then Magus teleported in, or simply became visible – he approached the thieves and Virdel.

Xandax started to think out loud to himself. "This battle had reduced the numbers of the Black Helm significantly and the thieves were possible also weakened. That left only the mages counting all but full numbers. Were they next, or were they behind this. Nothing was, as it seemed."

Xandax decided to approach Magus and the others, making sure to remove his Helm insignia upfront.

Virdel eased his grip on his blades as he saw the familiar face of Magus appear before him. He also, to the Hakeashar's annoyance, noticed Void floating protectively over head. He placed his two scimitars back into their sheathes, and stood calmly before the mage. Be fore saying anything, though, he shot a brief glance over to the pile of rubble that was once his summoned Elemental.

"Your doing?" He asked, a hint of sarcasm tipping his words. He also jutted a thumb towards the debris. A small smirk formed on his lips. "Decided not to get your hands dirty, or did you just arrive late." This was spoken with a bit more hostility, but still in good humour.

"I had more pressing matters." Magus responded calmly, and then surveyed the battlegrounds, and the few remaining Thieves. "It seems my help was not needed anyway." A wry smile formed on his face. "You have much fighting prowess, Drow. Perhaps, in the future, you may learn to use for the better good, and not your petty assassinations."

Glib words hid his real motivations, which couldn't be spoken in front of the thieves. They wouldn't care to hear that he was neutral between the guilds as of yet. He wondered why Virdel had taken sides in the matter, so openly supporting the thieves. Surely he didn't think himself immune to the machinations of the vengeful Wizards and their allies. Or did he? Maybe his drow arrogance had finally gotten to his head.

Virdel chuckled, "Perhaps, Magi. What news have you? Has the crisis been averted, or is there more to do?" Virdel waited patiently for the response. In the corner of his eye, he could see Xandax coming to join them.

"Think about it," Magus replied. "This attack was launched almost unilaterally by the Black Helm. Both the Shadow Thieves and the Helm sustained heavy losses. But what about the Cowled Wizards?" Magus asked, lips curving at the irony.

"My thoughts exactly," came Xandax' voice. Magus nodded as he approached.

"The reason the wizards didn't attack is they're a bunch of cowards," Tiras retorted angrily.

"Lieutenant!" A winded-looking rogue leaped down from the rooftop above.

"Yes?"

The thief whispered briefly in his ear. Tiras nodded, and the rogue ran into the guild house a block away.

Tiras smiled. "The Black Helm headquarters has been razed to the ground. That'll show them what happens when you cross the Shadow Thieves."

Xandax remained silent.

"We need to find Thryn. He still hasn't reported back yet," Aerie reminded Magus.

He nodded. "Good luck, Lieutenant. Hopefully you're correct about the Wizards."

"Our thanks for your help, drow. And yours, Arch mage." Tiras motioned to his men, and they disappeared into the guild house.

Magus gestured with his hand, and Thryn stepped out of the shadows, to everyone's surprise except Rail's.

"So what did you find?"

"Besides the obvious? During our meeting, Aran referred to the Wizards as 'treacherous'. Make what you will of that."

"If each leader tells the truth, I fear something sinister is going on. And I bet Lazal is somehow involved," Magus replied gravely.

Rail's good hand clenched involuntarily. He didn't bet Lazal was involved. He knew.