((And the adventure is finally over...or is it? BWAHAHA! This ends one tale of Norrath, but there are oh so many more just waiting for a bard to tell them. R/R, I hope you enjoyed this tale.))

Stormsiege stared out over the great city of Felwithe and sighed. It had been nearly a week since the war ended. He turned back from the window and looked around his room at all the maps hanging on the walls. Those damned dark elves had all packed up and left the second the iksar had gated. Most likely they crawled back into the hole they came out of, but would they return? He let out a guttural snarl and flung his belt knife at the map of Antonica. It stuck fast in the wall just above the label that read Neriak. The great lord protector fell to his knees and let the tears flow forth. He had to find them. He had to find that iksar. Mikanna deserved revenge. There was a soft knock on the door and he stood, wiping his cheeks.
"C-come in."
The door opened with a groan and his daughter stood there, her swords still on her belt and still in her armor.
"Papa…"
He walked towards her, taking everything in slowly. Her eyes were red and her cheeks streaked with tears. How many of the fallen elves had been her friends, he wondered. How many of her classmates won't be there when she returns to school?
"Sori, we've all been through a lot…and…"
She looked up at him, her mental pain showing through her attempts to conceal her anguish.
"We…we…have to be strong, right Papa? Go on fighting for those who can no longer?"
A weak smile crossed his face and he held her tightly.
"Exactly, Sori, exactly."

Master Ailur stood above the tree tops, his levitation spell allowing him to survey the immeasurable damage to his once great city. With a deep sigh that spoke volumes of his sorrow, he turned and walked back down to his ragged, frightened people.
"We can, nay will, rebuild our city. It may take years, it may take millennia, but we will do it. Until then, our brethren in Surefall Glade have kindly offered let us live amongst them."
Cheers of happiness met the end of his brief speech. He looked out over those who remained of his people and smiled. The greatest treasure of their people was strewn amongst them, their children, nearly all of whom had survived the inferno thanks to that human wizard. Larah stood at his side with Klarias. In her arms she held her elfling.
"Master Ailur?"
"Larah," he coughed as he spoke to her, "that title is no longer mine, you are now the leader of these people, do not fail them."
"B-but, what are you saying, Master Ailur?"
"I am staying here, child, even had I the will to leave the city in which I was born, I would not survive the journey to Surefall Glade. May Tunare be with you and your family and may she guide you well in leading our people."
He turned and shifted into his wolf form effortlessly, howling as he charged into the darkness. Tears fell from the young druidess' eyes as she realized what her great teacher had just entrusted her with. She turned to the people, her people, and with a will she didn't recognize as her own called to them.
"Come, we must leave soon if we are to arrive in Surefall Glade in a timely manner."

Niola Impholder regarded Rravenn carefully and then finally smiled.
"Of course you may study among us, Rravenn, any who wish to may find what they seek within our halls. As may your human friend, granted that he applies with my good friend Tarker Blazetoss."
Rianum and Rravenn smiled at each other, bowed before the Mage Mistress and then turned to leave the hall.
"I'm so glad I can continue my studies…"
Rianum merely smiled and hugged his dark skinned lover as they stepped out into the sunlit streets of Felwithe.
"We should find somewhere to stay, my dear blackbird."
She nodded, only half listening as she watched the elven children at play.
"I think…that that's the difference, Rianum."
"What difference?"
"Between my people and yours and theirs, Dark elves never play, not even as children. Humans and surface elves do, that's the difference."
Rianum nodded as a ball rolled to his feet. He picked it up and handed it back to the smiling child.
"What would you say to having a child, my love?"
Rravenn stared at him in silence for a moment and then smiled.
"I'd say we'd best find somewhere to stay so we can get to it."
She kissed him on the cheek and ran off laughing. He chased after her, echoing her laughter with his own as they ran through the narrow streets of Felwithe.

Nirokusan laughed from the high towers in Cabilis, soon his strength would be restored and he would begin planning his revenge on that high elven fool, that Lord Stormsiege. He looked out the window and saw his skeletal army growing and swelling in his great power. Soon, the time would be ripe for his attack. He had all the time in the cosmos to wait and build his necromantic strength. As he turned back to his workbench, he caught his reflection in the mirror and hissed at the sight of his stubby tail. It had begun to grow back but still was far from the glorious tail he had once had.
"I will come for you, Ssstormsssiege Morgan of Felwithe! You and that foolisssh half-elf!"