Chapter 13: Dangerous Ambitions

Katla slipped into a nightmare as she fell asleep after the numerous couplings she and Iasa did under the influence of the drugged wedding wine.

She saw Corellon sitting on a cushioned bench, his elbows rested on his knees as he held his face in his hands. His hair was disheveled and his tunic was a mess.

Katla had never imagined that a god could be in such a state.

She stepped forward to try to speak to him, to see why he was troubled, when a shadowy figure came between her and her god. The shadow materialized into an older looking version of her father, Isolder.

"Just look and see what you have done. You were warned, repeatedly, to not touch Iasa. You knew it was forbidden. Now look what you have done. You have sent him into despair. The world will radiate with his sorrow and you are the cause!"

"Why? I don't understand why?"

"You were warned. Iasa confessed his heresy, yet, you still coupled with him. Iasa was forbidden to you. Now Corellon weeps! He weeps for you!"

"You are not my father. Who are you?"

The face of the figure in the dream turned into her own.

Katla woke with a start.

Iasa was lying behind her with his arms around her. He nibbled and kissed her ear. "Good morning."

"Get off of me Iasa."

"Uh, uh."

"Do you remember what you told me last night?"

"Uh huh."

"You told me you were a heretic."

"Uh huh."

"We should not have..."

"Shhh, it is barely dawn and you will wake everyone else up."

"This is wrong."

"Don't care. Besides, it feels right to me."

Katla pushed Iasa away, "You are insane." She stood and hastily dressed.

Iasa sat up and wrapped his tunic, which they had used for a blanket, around him. "No, just observant. I don't believe for one moment that the flower tears are just a sign of a berserker. There is something more to it. That is why, when I was small, I made a vow to aid you until you take your rightful place. Now come back to bed with me. It is too early after the celebration."

"So, the vow over killing my mother was only a farce?"

"No, I had that one too. This was a vow of aid, not protection."

Katla stopped for a moment and looked at Iasa, "You are power mad."

"Mad, perhaps, but power is not my goal. Be prepared to put up with me because we are going to be staying here for a few weeks. Uasil wants to make sure Shadow wants to stay and I want more time to visit with my brother."

Katla grabbed her sword and stomped away a short distance out of the grove. She pulled her sword from its scabbard and began her practice to calm her nerves.

Kymil Niemesin sat in his study and looked at the body on the floor. The pool of blood was ruining his carpet, but he felt the loss of one wool carpet was worth the enjoyment he felt.

Coran Amaquissar demanded payment for the information he had given the wizard, the payment was not what the man had expected to receive.

"Io'lan, come in here and clean up this mess."

A bent and heavily burn-scarred elf plodded slowly into the room. From the set of his jaw, it looked like he might have been handsome at one point. One small braid of long, blonde hair hung limply behind his right ear.

Io'lan looked at Kymil with hatred in his eyes and spat at the wizard's feet.

"Oh come now, that is no way to act towards the one who saved your life. You would be dead without my constant ministrations."

Io'lan shook his head and spat at Kymil's feet again.

"Would you rather return to your father? What use would Onaagron Straan have for a withered thing like you?"

"My father is my father. I may be withered but I am still his eldest. I am still a more powerful wizard. I will have his throne, and more." Io'lan rasped out.

"Your father has no idea you are still alive. What would he do if he did? He would simply have you killed."

"I am leaving your service, Kymil."

Kymil laughed, "And risk the curse to worsen? How long will you survive? How long before someone embraces you again and you burst into flame?" He smiled at Io'lan. "Whatever you wish then. You can leave as soon as you clean up this mess. Put the body in the usual place. The creatures will devour it. It will not be found."

Io'lan tried to manage a frown through his burn-scarred face, before spitting at Kymil's feet again.

"I will destroy you as well when I find the treasure spoken of in the Book of Ghallega." Io'lan whispered to himself.

Kymil chuckled as he rose and left the room so he did not have to watch Io'lan at his work.

As soon as the body was deposited in a hole in a cave at the northern base of the plateau where Evereska stood, Io'lan picked up his few belongings and began walking north. He encountered several obstacles on his way, terror from people because of his charred appearance not being the least of them.

Despite his appearance, Io'lan could wield a sword rather well. He carried a spell sword, and wore magical armor which allowed him to cast his magic even while armed. A well placed fireball, or other spell took care of much of the dangers in the forest, so he did not have to brandish his fighting skills often, but he found it comforting to know he could defend himself with a weapon if it came to that.

In one small village, he came upon a young cleric of Illmater, Cassius, who chose to travel with Io'lan because of 'Io'lan's obvious torment.' Io'lan did not mind the company, but wished that his companion had at the very least been an elf.

Io'lan despised humans. To him, all humans were really good for were as servants and as slaves.

At night, while his companion slept, Io'lan read the book he stole from a dusty corner of Nimesin's library. "The old fool had no idea he had this little treasure there." He thought to himself. The Book of Ghallega was written in verse, and seemed mostly to talk of an ancient, un-named, long forgotten goddess and a glittering city built for her glory. It also talked of magic with the power to rule the world, but just what or how the power worked was not clear. He compared notes in the journal of the wanderer, Jonaleth, to the information in the book, hoping to find some clue to the enormous power.

Jonaleth was only spoken about in whispers among the Straan family. Some say he was the first Grand Duke of Straan. Some say he was simply a addle-headed younger sibling of the first Duke. Whatever the truth was, the journal made it clear that Jonaleth was an extremely powerful arch-sorcerer, perhaps the most powerful in all of the Straan line. Io'lan wanted that power.

Io'lan rubbed his bleary eyes as he felt the healing power of the items he stole from Nimesin. Among them was a ring of regeneration. He smiled knowing, barring any disaster, that his perfect beauty would soon be restored to him. As for Nimesin's curse, that was what Cassius was for.

Cassius had promised to take Io'lan to a priest who could remove particularly complicated curses.

"He lives as a hermit to the north in the Lonely Moor. Everyone who has heard of him calls him the Blue Priest, because of the robes he wears. Some say he is an elf, but no one I know knows for sure. Traveling into the Lonely Moor for a cure is almost as bad as sending a wolf into a henhouse. It is a very dangerous place to go. You could get yourself killed before you had a chance to find your cure. Well, you are a wizard, and those fire spells are really good for all the trolls and orcs that inhabit the Lonely Moor..."

Cassius rambled on and on as they traveled, making Io'lan wish that he had a silence spell to shut the young human up. If it were not for the promise of a cure for his curse, he would have killed the man outright.

They stopped at a small village just south of the road that lead into the Anauroch Desert.

While Cassius made arrangements for the two to stay the night at the small temple of Illmater there, Io'lan spied an elven male brushing down his horse outside the local inn. He licked his lips and took a few deep breaths. "He is so pretty." He thought.

Io'lan managed to keep his composure as he spoke to the young male. "Excuse me, I need someone to carry a message for me, an elf. Do you happen to know where Straankeep is?"

The elven warrior jumped back as he looked as Io'lan's scarred appearance.

Io'lan chuckled, "Worry not, friend, I am no leper. I just had an unfortunate encounter with a red dragon and survived, but my family is unaware that I still live. I need to get word to them."

The warrior looked at Io'lan again and nodded. "Dragons can be very temperamental, especially reds. I do know where Straankeep is. I am traveling there to join the Holy Order of the Knights of the Astral Blade. Perhaps you would like to join me? It would be better that your family see you alive rather than just sending a message. I am certain the priests of The Order can heal your scars as well."

"I am afraid that is not possible just yet. I have been beset by a curse by an evil creature. I only know of one who can cure that curse, and I am off to find him. Here," Io'lan handed the warrior a leather satchel and a small ruby. "Proof of who I am is in the satchel. It is warded, so do not open it. The ruby is payment for your kindness."

The warrior nodded again. "To whom should I deliver this?"

"To the hands of Iagron Straan and none other. Iagron will know what to do after that."

The warrior held up his hand and made the elven symbol of friendship, "I am Temol."

"I am Io'lan. I will remember this kindness in the future." he said as he returned the friendship hand sign.

Io'lan chuckled as the warrior rode away, "With your help, my brother, Iagron, the world will bow to my whim." he thought to himself. "The Wisteria hold the key, for they are descended from Ghallega. I know you are just as ambitious as I am. Letting you capture the key will make my conquest so much easier."

"I have a place to sleep for the night, as well as a map that mark the bogs of the Lonely Moor." Cassius said as he found Io'lan. "With this map, and some luck, we should be able to reach the Blue Priest without much truoble."

"Good. I shall feel happy to be able to embrace you."

Cassius made an odd look because of Io'lan's comment, but said nothing.

Katla tried to keep her distance from Iasa, but part of her liked the attention. She loved the feel of having Iasa in her arms, but the guilt of the wrongness of it ate at her from the inside. Her only comfort was that the nightmare of the night of their first coupling did not return.

During the first week after Loel and Elli's wedding, many of the others in the grove began making wagers on whether it would be Io'nore and Shadow or Iasa and Katla to be the next to take vows.

Katla hated the scrutiny more than she hated the guilt of being Iasa's lover.

She tried asking for advice from the chieftain of the forest elves, Kaimelar. He instructed her that she must deal with the problem on her own.

She talked to Io'nore as he was teaching Shadow the different herbs and their healing properties.

"Can You at least talk to him, Io'nore?" Katla pleaded. "You know we are forbidden to be lovers."

"Forbidden, by our parents, yes, but do you truly wish to not be his lover?"

"I don't know. I feel confused. I care very deeply for him, but it is not the kind of caring that lends itself to being a lover. My love for him is not that of a lover. If we stopped coupling, the kind of love I feel would remain the same. Our coupling and our caring are separate. There is no real passion, only convenience, so to speak."

"I understand. I wish I could speak to him about this. He contends, at mealtime, that he is staying to visit with me, yet I hardly see him. He tells me he is off in the forest with one of the others, supposedly practicing his ranger's skills, but truly, I have no idea what he does with his time when he is not in your company. I will do what I can, if I can corner him when he is not busy."

"I will see if I can talk to him for you, Katla" Shadow offered. "I am sure Io'nore can spare me for a small amount of time. Perhaps he will talk to me."

Shadow spoke to Iasa later that day, but it did not seem to help Iasa keep away from Katla. It made it worse. Iasa made more of a public display of his affections.

Katla caught Uasil polishing his sword several afternoons after she had pleaded with Io'nore and Shadow. "Please, Uasil, if you put me in charge of the Gemez and Keld, I will spar with them and you can keep an eye on Iasa. You can spar with Iasa."

"Katla , the dwarves want to practice their skills of fighting against much larger creatures, yetis and such. You are much too small. I am more suited to use for what they want to learn."

"I can teach them elven sword techniques that work just as well with axes."

"Is Iasa bothering you that badly? I thought you would like the time practicing with him, since you are lovers."

"There is a big difference between comforts and lovers."

Uasil stopped pushing the polishing cloth and dropped it to the ground. He sheathed his sword and got on his knees so he could look Katla in the eye. "Tell me the truth, Katla, are his ministrations both in and out of his bed unwanted?"

Katla lowered her eyes to the ground. "I don't know. I can't.."

Uasil put his hands on her chin to raise her face back up. "Katla, is Iasa raping you?" He quietly growled out.

"I don't know what to call it. I like him near, I care for him very much, but I feel guilty. He had gotten over his possessiveness during our travels, but now it is back. He is more possessive. You see, we are first cousins, and we are not supposed to get involved, in the way we are."

Uasil curled his palm over his mouth and shook his head. "Neither Io'nore or Iasa said anything about being your first cousins, only that you were related. I did not think to ask how close that family relationship was. Among humans, what Iasa is doing borders on incest, because you are so closely related."

"It is not like that among the elves. I think the worry is another elf-bane. Since my berserker blood comes from the same bloodline as Iasa's, the elders do not want the chance of me conceiving, even though we are too young for that. None of our coupling was forced. I am just afraid of what will happen if our parents find out."

"This is a mess. "

"Thank you for talking to me, Uasil." Katla rose and headed into the trees.

The sound of Iasa whistling carried over to Uasil's ears. He stood and turned to see Iasa leaving Loelvar's tree-hut.

Uasil shook his head. "That one will only give that lady sorrow." he thought.

"Uasil, have you seen Katla? We need to spar."

"She went off by herself to practice with her sword. I have no idea where she is, Iasa. Where have you been? She was here earlier looking for a sparring partner."

"I was with Loel. He says I have a wonderful voice and although his family says I am becoming a decent ranger, he thinks I would make a better bard, perhaps even a Songblade. He has been teaching me songs to use."

"I see."

"Damn it. Katla should not run off alone like this, not here."

Uasil got a fiery look in his eyes. "I am sure she can handle herself. She is a berserk, and a damn good one. Few have her level of control over the madness."

Iasa sighed, "Very well, how about I spar with you?"

"I would like to see your sword skills."

Iasa gave Uasil a quizzical look, but nodded as he made his way to the sparing lists at the edge of the grove.

Io'lan scratched his head and felt the small lengths of hair growing. It was a small comfort when he had to endure having to stop their journey whenever Cassius felt sleepy. He wished he had a mirror to see how well his face was healing.

Io'lan knew he would heal much faster once they found the Blue Priest, if there even was a Blue Priest in the damned moor.

Cassius had promised the travel to last no more than two or three days, but goblin attacks had stretched the journey out longer.

Io'lan, disgusted, and feeling that they were walking in circles, demanded the map from Cassius. He became more disgusted to see that the map was largely incomplete. It only showed the location of the larger bogs, and nothing else.

"You have had no idea where we have been going? You have no idea where this Blue Priest is, much less if he exists. You will pay for this. Do not try to lead me out of this bog. We will continue until we have searched every inch, even if I have to use one of my spells on one of those stupid goblins to use him as a guide."

"I understand your suffering. Illmater teaches..."

"I do not care about your god. I have my own god, that wants me to be restored."

"We are both tired, Io'lan, we should stop and rest." Cassius said as he shook his head.

"We will stop, but resting is not what I have in mind for you," Io'lan mumbled to himself.

"Here, I found a spot where there is a natural shelter. We can rest in here for a few hours."

"You are so very young , Cassius. How old are you really?"

"I am eighteen, why do you ask?" Cassius cleared wet leaves from the little lean to, suspecting nothing from his companion.

"Such a perfect, tender age for you." Io'lan purred as he seized Cassius by the hips.

"You are a pederast!" Cassius cried out before the pain caused by Io'lan seared through him.

"Now, don't weep my boy. I just have to work out my frustrations. Be a good boy and stay still for just a little longer. Your god wants you to endure suffering. Endure a little suffering for me. I will let you rest after I am done. Then, once you are rested, we will continue our search."

Cassius whimpered but did just as Io'lan wanted.

"Wake up Katla." Io'nore said as he gently shook Katla's arm to break her reverie.

Katla sat on a bed of twigs and leaves just outside of Io'nore's house. She had no idea how long she had been in her trance, but it was the first real rest she had in days.

"What is it? And, where is Iasa?"

"Iasa is on watch. I was going to come and get you as soon as the table was set, but you looked so peaceful."

"What is the matter?"

"Someone is coming towards the grove. Someone dangerous. Whomever it is, is close. I know the forest elves could use your help."

"I will do what I can."

Cassius leaned heavily on his staff as he tried to walk. The pain of the constant molestation from Io'lan was killing him and he had to get away. Io'lan may have the map, but death by a creature or in a bog was much better than enduring the constant humiliation.

Such actions Io'lan was forcing upon Cassius was not part of Illmater's teachings. Cassius had to escape or risk loosing his soul.

He bit his lip to keep from crying out when he tripped over an exposed root in his path. Tears welled in his eyes as blood dripped from his spilt lip.

Cassius should have been frightened when he heard the sound of swords being unsheathed, but to him, it was a comfort.

"Who goes." A voice growled in the darkness.

"Help me." Cassius whimpered out as he was rolled over by the watch. He saw the blonde braid of hair of the elf standing directly over him and closed his eyes. "No, please no more. I can not endure it."

"He's covered in blood." Iasa said as she looked closer. Get him to Io'nore right away. He is not the danger the seer predicted."

Io'nore looked at the young man that was brought into the center of the grove. He gave the man some water. "What is your name?"

"Cassius. You already know that, Io'lan. Are you testing me for more punishment because I ran?"

"Io'lan! Did you say Io'lan?"

"Is this another cruel jest, Io'lan? Punish me so I can escape." Cassius replied as the delirium from the potion Io'nore forced down Cassius' throat began to take effect.

"I am not Io'lan. I am Io'nore. My brother is not here."

"He is close," Cassius said as his eyes focused, then closed.

"Damn it. Iasa, sound the alarm. I need help to get this man to my hut. He is hurt badly and may not survive."

"Io'nore? What is it?" Katla asked as she rushed into the grove.

"It seems Iasa was mistaken, Io'lan is alive, and on his way here."

Iasa took one look at the sorry state of Cassius and shuddered. Memories long forgotten surfaced. Iasa fought the urge to run and hide.

Io'lan chuckled at the irony of the situation. He stood in the shadow of an eave beneath the roof of Io'nore's home. "So dear Io'nore is the Blue Priest. What fortune! Sweet little Iasa is here as well. " He thought to himself. "I will wait here until sunrise, then plead my case to my dear twin."

Fortune did not favor Io'lan until sunrise. A forest elf who was searching the area near Io'nore's garden relieved himself on Io'lan's feet, causing the wizard to shriek in surprise.

"Here! I have him!" The forest elf grabbed Io'lan by the ankles and dug his fingers into the flesh so that Io'lan could not escape. The forest elf proceeded to drag Io'lan out from under the eave. He gasped when he saw Io'lan's condition, but did not let go.

Katla and Iasa both rushed to seize Io'lan by the arms and drag him before Io'nore and Chieftain Kaimelar.

Most of the forest elves whom had come into the grove to see the villain, shrieked and hid once setting eyes on Io'lan's hideous appearance.

"Iasa, Shadow, go inside my hut and see to our guest." Io'nore said sternly.

"But Io'nore..." Iasa started to protest.

"Now!"

Iasa frowned at Io'nore, the turned to Io'lan and scowled. "I will make you pay." His voice waivered out.

Katla ignored the commotion of those around her while she patted down and searched through Io'lan's robe and sack in order to relieve him of any weapons he might be carrying.

"Elf-bane! Gods! That thing is here!" Io'lan cringed and fought with Katla once he realized who she was. "Get it away from me! Don't let it curse me again!" He howled. "I swear I have changed my ways! Just get that thing away from me!"

"From the looks of my guest in my hut, that is a lie."

"But I have! Look at me! I am cursed! Every time I am embraced, I burst into flame! And it is all that thing's fault! I have changed! I am your brother for the sake of the gods!"

"You tried to kill me because I told father you were the reason he could not keep apprentices for long."

"I can't help that! I feel thiramin for a female I can never have! It is the only way I can relieve my frustration!"

"The young man in my hut is suffering from a grave injury due to your perversity."

"All right! I was amorous with the boy. I won't do it again! Just get this thing away from me!"

"I will go make sure Iasa hasn't torn the inside of your hut to bits." Katla said as she headed for the hut.

"Let me finish searching him." Elli said as she stepped forward to relieve Katla of her task. The skills her family excelled in allowed her to find items that she was sure Katla would have missed.

Kaimelar drew a circle around Io'lan and began a spell as Elli carefully piled Io'lan's belongings at Io'nore's feet. She took Loel's hand, turned and nodded to indicate she was finished.

"You can not move from that circle." Kaimelar said in a clear booming voice.

Io'lan cursed and tried to cast spells, which only reverted back on himself. "How could you! Just look at what has become of me!"

"Who gave you this curse?"

"The elf-bane! I stole a necklace from a courier sent to deliver it to her when she first fostered at Zaor's palace! I sensed magical properties and believed it was a protection spell. I did not know what it truly was until years later, when I tried to use it. It is the gold necklace with the amethyst at your feet! I came here for a cure! How can you do this to me!"

"I doubt that is the only reason. I see you still have the spell sword you stole from mother."

"I needed it!"

"Iagron's spell book is here. What about that?"

"I took them from his room when I left him in an inn in Amn. I needed them to try and find a cure for this damned curse!"

"You still have the forbidden journal of Jonaleth I see, but I also see that another book that was stolen from father's library is here too."

"I didn't stealthat from father! The book of Ghallega was in Kymil's library."

"What!"

"Kymil Nimesin has been keeping me as his personal slave for years! I only just escaped!"

Io'nore frowned at his brother's last words. "So all these years we have thought you dead, you were..."

"In the keeping of Kymil. He wanted to know secrets about our family line, especially those on mother's side."

Io'nore pulled his hand through his short hair in frustration. "I see. Just keep your hands off the boys in this grove and I will heal you, brother. I am taking you to Straankeep for father's judgment on this matter."

Io'lan nodded. "Just keep the elf-bane away from me."

Io'nore picked up the amethyst necklace and studied it for a few moments. He cast a spell on it to see exactly how the curse worked. He gasped as he saw in his mind the intricacies of the curse spell. He knew it would be simple to heal Io'lan, because the curse was a backlash of the spell, not a real curse.

"Do you think it is wise to heal him? " Elli asked.

"He is my brother, and I am much stronger than I was when he tried to kill me. Plus, Katla is here to annoy him if he gets out of line. He must go to my father's for trial. I can not take him there in this condition."

Io'lan laughed in his mind. He was getting just what he wanted. His brother was none the wiser.

"There is an empty tree-hut over there." Io'nore pointed. "As soon as I cast the spell, you can occupy it. You are not welcome in my house. Also, all of these items I know are not yours come with me. Do you understand?"

"Perfectly."

"Lift the spell, Kaimelar."

The forest elf chieftain nodded, released the spell then went to a small group of his people whom were waiting for him.

Io'nore weaved his spell to cure Io'lan of the curse. He added a regeneration spell. You should be back to your vain, former beauty in a day or so. Now go!"

Loelvar handed Io'lan the belongings that Io'nore had not taken away.

Io'lan headed to the hut. As his twin turned away, he spat in his direction.

"Katla! I am so glad you are here!" Shadow pleaded as Katla entered Io'nore's hut.

"What is the matter? Has something happened to the young man?"

"No, he is resting and healing well. It is Iasa. He is cowered in the corner and will not come out. He keeps calling your name."

Katla rushed to the corner where Iasa was cowering. She had never seen him in such a sorry state.

Iasa was curled into a ball, weeping and shaking. "Katla please, I need you Katla."

"Iasa, I am here. What is the matter?"

"Io'lan. Io'lan is not dead. Please hold me. He will not come near me when you are here. He is afraid of you. I am not like him no matter what lies he tells."

Katla took Iasa in her arms. "Shh, now. He can do nothing to you. Io'nore will make sure of that. You have nothing to be so frightened of."

"He will try to touch me again! I know he will! He will!"

Katla pulled him more tightly into her arms and glanced over at the young man on the bed. "That bastard." She whispered under her breath. "I am here, Iasa. I won't leave you. I promise, I will never let any harm come to you."

Iasa wound his legs around Katla's waist and pulled her into a deep kiss. "Love me, Katla. You are the only one who really knows me."

"No, Iasa, not now. You are too upset. Perhaps later. You need to take reverie or a nap to calm your nerves. Don't worry, I will be right here."

Iasa nodded and dried his eyes on his sleeves as he unwound himself from around Katla.

Katla lead Iasa to his bed. She covered him with a soft blanket and kissed him on the cheek. "You rest. I will be with you later."

Iasa nodded and rolled over to his side. He was asleep in a matter of moments.

"What was the matter?" Shadow whispered with a concerned voice.

"He is deathly afraid of Io'lan. I am not certain of the reason, but I can guess." She glanced over at the man sleeping on Io'nore's bed.

"Do you think he did to Iasa what he did to Cassius over there?"

"Possibly, Shadow."

Io'nore groaned with exhaustion as he entered the hut. He looked up at Katla. "I am sorry I sent you away, but I couldn't have him hysterical when I was trying to get answers from him. It seems he stumbled onto a magic item meant for you." He handed the necklace to Katla. "I do not suggest you wear it. It is keyed to kill anyone you embrace while wearing it."

"Why would anyone want me to have a vile thing like that?"

"Because you are an elf-bane. Someone wanted to use that myth in order to kill someone, possibly Lord Isolder. Since I can not determine who made it, it is difficult to tell who the target, or targets really were."

"Oh, Io'nore, why does your family give you such sorrow?" Shadow said as she put her arms around him. "Come find comfort in my arms, my love."

"Io'nore, " Katla said as she looked closely at the amethyst necklace. "Did Io'lan hurt Iasa?"

Io'nore sighed, "Yes. I discovered him molesting Iasa. That is when I found out he was also molesting my father's apprentices. That is whyIasa was sent to your father, permanently, to keep him away from Io'lan."

A tear fell down Katla's face as she dropped the necklace to the floor, turned and crawled into bed beside Iasa. She carefully embraced him, so not to wake him up. "I do love you Iasa. I promise, I will protect you."

A loud banging on the door roused all those in Io'nore's hut .

"Come out here! There is something wrong!" Uasil howled.

Io'nore, Shadow, Iasa and Katla slowly made their way out of the hut to find that all of the forest elves, Elli and the half-elves that traveled with Katla, had deserted the grove.

"Elliberyl left a note but I can't read the thing." Uasil said as he handed Io'nore the note.

"What's all the ruckus?" Keld said as he and Gemez walked to meet Uasil.

Io'lan poked his head out of the hut he occupied and listened.

"They have moved to another grove. They do not deem any of us trustworthy anymore. They prefer we leave. They will not return until we do. Also, the protections that keep the trolls, goblins and orcs out of the grove are gone. We will need to pack and be ready to move as quickly as possible."

"But what about all of your things in your hut? Are you sure you want to leave them?" Shadow said with concern.

Io'lan chuckled. "Do not worry, my love, Everything not worth keeping will stay, but my personal things will all fit into my magical packs. They are similar to the pouch Katla carries under her tunic. Katla, I want you to have the Book of Ghallega and Jonaleth's diary. They will be of most use to you. I truly doubt my father really missed them being in his possession. He was afraid of them."

"No!" Io'lan shouted as he left his dwelling. "I need them more than it does!" Io'lan cast a spell that scorched Katla's right arm and left it completely limp."

Iasa ran behind Uasil for protection as Katla marched towards Io'lan.

"What is she doing?" Uasil said, "She can't do anything with her sword arm!"

Iasa's fear dissipated at Uasil's words. "You have not been paying attention, Uasil." Iasa laughed. "That is not her sword arm. She is left-handed. That is why I like the challenge of sparring with her."

Katla pulled her sword and pointed at Io'lan's throat before he could move two steps. "Got some of your beauty and your gall back I see. Get your things and pack. Do not tempt my anger. It is not a pretty sight to an enemy."

Io'lan cringed in fear, nodded, and rushed back inside the hut to gather his things.

Uasil laughed a big laugh. "All bark and no bite."

"Oh he has a bite, but not a very powerful one without all of his stolen toys. " Io'nore replied.

"Is Cassius ready to travel?" Uasil asked as he looked inside Io'nore's hut.

"I'm not feeling well, but I think I can travel if we go slow." Cassius said as he sat up in the bed.

"I'm Uasil Haadraad of Ruathym. I will carry you when you feel faint."

"Move over , Uasil. I will help Cassius pack his things." Shadow squeezed past her foster brother. "You have nothing to worry about now, I'm Shadow. I will introduce you to the rest of us as soon as we are outside."

Cassius nodded, "And Io'lan?"

"My mate can handle his brother. Everything will be alright."

Everyone was ready to travel by the next morning. The weather was sunny and warm.

Katla felt sad at leaving the grove, because her love affair with Iasa would end, but at the same time she was relieved.

"Katla, perhaps we can talk our parents into letting us stay as we are." Iasa said sadly as they made their way along the bogs. "Once they understand the nature of the berserker, and the holiness of it, we can stay together."

"I don't know, Iasa. We will have to see when we get to Straankeep."

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