Sorry I haven't updated in AGES, I got lost in other stuff, and all that. You know the story. It's so out of date now (. This was supposed to be my version of the Shadow Lord's demise. But now that DQ3 is out... Anyway, I'm going to continue this story like DQ3 never happened, and go with how it was originally meant to be. Thanks for being so patient.... Even if you weren't, I'm just saying that... Oh you know what I mean! And now, on with the story!

This'll be a short chapter until I get back into the rhythm of things

Sorry, NOW on with the story!

Lief had locked himself up in the library for days, only leaving for food and water. He poured over volume after volume of the Annals, only to find nothing. Absolutely nothing. Then again, he didn't have much to go on. The dimness of the gems could mean anything. It was a needle in a haystack. And he didn't even know what the needle was supposed to look like.

He rubbed his eyes as he turned one more page. The words blurred as he tried to focus his eyes on the small scripture. He sighed. There was no way he would find anything if he could barely keep himself awake. He yawned as he closed the book, leaving a shred of paper to mark his place. The weight in his eyelids increased tenfold as the idea of sleep emblazoned itself in his thoughts, and he fell asleep, using the leather cover of the large book as a makeshift pillow.

Sharn carried an armful of fresh fruits toward the front doors to the courtyard. She sampled one of her latest finds in relish, looking forward to dinner that night. As she made her way to the front doors, she heard several voices, the voices of a crowd actually, and turned around.

A large group had gathered to watch from their houses as a small caravan made its way down the walkway. Several hooded figures progressed single file into the courtyard as she looked on. They wore emerald green robes, and it only took her a moment to realize who there guests were.

"Lief! Wake up!"

"Wha-"

Lief woke with a start as the library suddenly became much more crowded than he remembered. He blinked as he saw some Dread gnomes surrounding the table where he sat. He tried to rub the tiredness from his face as he felt a tug at his shoulder. He turned to see what must have been the eldest of the gnomes holding out a grubby little parcel, bound in leather.

"Take, take, Lief must take package from Shriivok the Seer!"

Lief raised his eyebrows. "Shree-wha-?

He quizzically picked up the package. It was bound with cords of hide, and there was some kind of lettering he could barely make out.

"To the current ruler of the city of Del."

"From an ever regretful Shriivok, may this help you more than it did I."