A bow raised out of the foliage, its original golden sheen held back by majicks of combat. The hand holding it neither trembled nor faltered. A ring, glowing blue, sat perfectly on the middle finger. As she stretched the fine string of her weapon, the blue orb flushed white, then settled back to a fierce pulsating blue as the glow flowed over the arc of wood.

It is a good day to die. All the moreI must not stumble so late in this stage. The ambasadors of the Matriach will be arriving today, everything must be perfect! The clan's plans have been laid out, defenses are strong. evrything looks perfect. But somehow... "Ah! Sir Colenzo and Dac Farren!"exclaimed the fallen shaman as a red portal manifested itself from nothingness. "Just in time (damnit they're early!), we were just about to start the clan council the review the plans of the invasion."

"And you must be Bishibosh" replied the warped shaman known as Colenzo the Annihilator. "Eager to please, quick to lie and fool born of tainted blood."

"heE heE! Tainted blood tainted blood!" squealed Dac Farren, the demon gremlin, as it flickered in and out of existence, its teleport spell now used as an irritant.

Stammering and stuttering in shock, Bishibosh stepped aside as the visitors from hell pushed pass his to step into the crop of rocks just behind him.

"Council of the Plains" enunciated the demon, his voice oddly articulate and unsettling in the company of gibberish speaking Fallen. "i have arrived! i have RETURNED!I have learnt much during my stay in hell,

(heE heE! hell heLL!)

but now is not the time to teach. My dear friends (a word he slobbered with sarcasm), now is the time to move, now is the time to STRIKE!

(ssstrike ssstrikE! hAAA hahaha!)

Fear not the rogues of the sightless eye, nor the blades of the mercenaries and babarians.I tell you now, not even the spells of the ironwolves will hurt you with the protection of the Matriach around us! Ready yourselves to move! Worry not about weapons for Hephasto

(the hephasssssto!)

the armourer himself will be arriving soon and with his forge our weapons will pierce even the Spirit Ward enchanted by Holy Shield!"

With that the annihilator spun on his heel and quick marched out of the council circle. He paused next to the still shocked Bishibosh

"Ensure that allI have said will be done. Hephasto arrives in an hour. We will move once he has inspected the troops. We do not want to anger the armourer now do we..."

Hephasto? Patience is a virtue

"Of course not my liege!" exclaimed the fallen shaman in fear, snapping him back into his senses. "Everything will be ready within the hour your unholiness!"

The bow descended back into the bushes, its blue glow flowing back into the now dimly lit carrion wind. Delaine settled down for the hour long wait.