So I don't own anything Misty Lackey owns. Too bad. For those of you who have read her anthology Crossroads, this is also post Transmutation. Which means people can use Gates.

Here goes nothing.

Heads snapped around and focused on the form that was taking shape behind Firesong and An'desha. No one moved from his or her places, but hands went to hilts, and shields formed around all the mages. The form radiated power on a scale none had seen since Falconsbane had been defeated. Only An'desha had any inkling of what was happening, but Ma'ar's memories knew only fear of this being.

: Calm down. I don't mean to hurt anyone.: The voice was now traceable and came from that form.

: Yeah, trust us that she only means to warn you.: The new mindvoice rang in the minds of all, but it was hauntingly familiar to only two.

Elspeth spoke out in shock, " Vanyel?"

: Yep. I know you though I was dead but…: Vanyel's mindvoice was almost cheery.

Kero was skeptical. "How do we know this is the 'Last Herald Mage'? I take it someone knows him but, couldn't this be an elaborate trick?"

A third, gravely mindvoice answered,: It could be but, my former bearer, I would be much harder to counterfeit.:

"Need?"

: Why is everyone shouting everyone's name today. Yes it is me, no we are not imposters, and we need to stop making introductions before the world gets overrun by something you all alone cannot stop.:

That shut everyone up. Finally, An'desha spoke, "So who are you?" He spoke to the woman who had taken shape in the room. She was a beautiful woman of no discernable race, with brown-gold curls braided in a single braid down her back. She seemed about 25, but her green-brown eyes spoke of knowledge ages old. Her green skirt fell to the floor but was split for riding, and her black shirt fit her comfortably. A sword was strapped to her back and by her posture she clearly knew how to use it.

"I go by many names," she said. "An'desha, your memory knows me as Clarissa. My brothers know me by other names. You may call me Carina, as is my rightful name."

Kero had finally gotten up her courage to ask, " So what is this danger everyone seems to know about but can't pinpoint."

Carnina smiled sadly. " An evil being is coming to this world. She seeks to make the people here her slaves or followers. She is – more powerful than any of you could stop. She is to Ma'ar as Ancar was to Ma'ar. I know that she will reawaken the greatest evils of this world. I know she has already started."

Darkwind spoke, " So you give us a warning, now what?"

Vanyel answered him, : You now need to tell the Counsel. Only then can any of the aid you need truly take any form. I can appear to give you evidence, but only myself, for we are the only ones that the entire counsel ever knew to exist. It is against Carina's laws to do so, and the others are, well, older, from before the Cataclysm.:

Elspeth looked around the room, at familiar faces and one unfamiliar, and sighed. "Time to go convince the Counsel to let us save the world. Again."

The Counsel sat in shock, unnerved by what had been said. An evil was coming, and their greatest mages could do nothing to stop it? The only proof of the ethereal visitors, however, was there word, and many were inclined not to believe them.

"What proof do you have?" the envoy of Hardorn questioned. " How can you prove this?"

A mindvoice rang in the minds of all, gifted and ungifted, as an answer. :I am their proof.: Behind Elspeth, with an intangible had on her shoulder Vanyel materialized.

Simultaneously, Firesong and Elspeth said, "Hello Forefather."

Those who had not been at Urtho's tower sat in shock. Who was this being that had popped up? Any why did they call him Forefather. Selenay was the first to speak, " Elspeth, what the hell is going on? Who is that and…"

Vanyel stopped the questions with a raised hand. "I am Herald Mage Vanyel. I am the proof that this is all very real. Oh and they addressed me that way because the both come from decedents. No one told anyone?" The ethereal hands solidified for a moment and delivered slaps to both offending descendants. " Now that my identity is settled, can we get back to the fact that you probably will have to deal with Ma'ar, Learth, Ancar, Falconsbane, and any other extremely horrible wizard or demon that ever existed on this world at the same time." That shocked everyone speechless.

"What can we do?" asked some minor Valdemaran diplomat.

Firesong glared. "You can listen to what we've been saying and that we do have help. By the way, besides you and our very pointy friend, who is there to help us?"

"I can't give you all names before this is agreed to and they arrive. By species or talent, two gryphons, multiple very powerful mages, a few other non humans, and… and some others who I can't name for fear of them getting mad and looking for my blood."

Selenay finally shook out of her daze and spoke, "So here is the question. Do we accept the problem and accept the help?"

The answer was a unanimous yes.

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