A/N: Yes, you know the wonderful world of Exile (Avernum) remains the property of Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software. I promise, following my fun here, to return unharmed to the game the following people: Glantris-Bok, Elohi-Bok, Prossis-Bok, Skeller-Te, Haineux, Mahr-Tel, Garzahd, and Delrin-Bok; and places: Olgai, Spore Tunnels, Fort Haledon, Delrin's tomb, Ornotha Ziggurat, the Barrier Tunnel, and the Shrine of Crystals.

Returning to the Council Chamber, Glantris-Bok stood and bowed to the group. The familiar look of fury contorted his features, but for once, it wasn't directed at them.

"We thank you for returning the Crystal Soul of Jekknol-Bok to us," he said, quivering with anger. "They tormented our ancestor's spirit! They told stories of invasions of our lands, of the death of our people! They nearly drove Jekknol mad!" His voice turned cold and quiet and he continued, "They will pay for this, they will pay a thousand times. I promise it. They will pay with lives, and they will pay for years!"

Elohi and Prossis nodded solemnly in agreement with Glantris.

Glantris-Bok said, "But for now, the rescue is complete and his healing may begin. Your reward awaits you in the eastern chambers. We, and the vahnatai people, thank you."

"Thank you," said Jenneke. "From here, we intend to go to Fort Haledon. Could we see some maps, as these spore tunnels are unfamiliar to us, please?"

"Certainly," replied Glantris-Bok, and he had maps brought to the table. "Now, here is Olgai. You will need to go this way," and here he traced a general path.

"Brother Michael, you got all that down?" said Jenneke.

"Yes, sir," said Michael, taking rapid notes.

"Thank you," said Jenneke. "We hope to return soon."

After a few days of travel, they entered the spore tunnels. They were accurately named, for they could feel tiny airborne bits of fungus and lichen clogging their noses and making their eyes sting, water, and turn red. There weren't mushrooms though, just molds and lichens.

It had been a week of travel, uneventful save for difficulties in finding bridges that had collapsed in the years, when they came to a natural stone bridge, with a building that appeared to be of vahnatai origin on the opposite side of the chasm spanned by the stone bridge, but they passed by, moving between two huge spires.

Jenneke suddenly stopped, and tapped the side of his head. "You hear that?"

"Yes," said Adrianna. "What is ..."

There was a cacophony of voices, and then only one continued, in a clear, sibilant voice, "Delrin-Bok mussst have hisss due. A thousssand coinssss to passss. Ssset down, or ssssuffer."

"Um, suffer what?" said Jenneke.

"They said that Delrin was mad," said Adrianna. "But it looks like we can't avoid him."

"We could go back—I bet that building's where they moved him to," said Nigel. "See if we can settle that way."

They moved into the building, finding it was apparently a tomb populated by undead vahnatai, and they explored, finding what appeared to be a prison in one corner. In one of these cells, they discovered what appeared to be a vahnatai mage asleep, robes tattered, and emaciated even for his people. At their approach, he woke, and weakly held up his hands, seeming too weak to speak.

They managed to free him from the bonds, and then shared some food and water with him, and at last he gained the strength to speak.

"Thank you, humans. You were the last sort of being I would expect to aid me," he said. "My name is Skeller-Te."

"What happened to you?" said Jenneke. "How did you come to be trapped here?"

"I was part of a band which went to wake Fort Haledon. On the way back, a band of guardians ambushed us. I held them off, and the rest of us escaped. The vicious creature put me in here to starve, but I got out. Then I made my mistake. I tried to see Delrin-Bok, to speak reason with him. He lives in a maze in the center of this place. I tried to get in," said Skeller-Te. "I never got to him, and only managed to get recaptured. But I found something interesting. In a secret room in the maze, there were markings on a crystal on a pedestal. I think they were a clue on how to reach him."

Strength gathered, he seemed to make ready to leave, and he said, "It is beyond me, though. I need to get home and help my people. Thank you again."

"We were glad to help," Jenneke said. "Good luck in your journey."

"And good luck to you in yours," said Skeller-Te, and with that, he left.

"We'd better check all these cells," said Jenneke. "Nigel, if you would ..."

Nigel opened the cell doors, finding the others empty, except for one other that seemed to have another vahnatai mage imprisoned within.

"OK, we'll free you," said Jenneke, finding a way to remove the shackles as he had with Skeller-Te.

But as soon as the chains were removed, the skin started to warp and change, the magical disguise falling away. The creature began to wave its hands and chant ... and it soon became apparent that he had summoned aid.

They defeated the revealed undead and his assistants, and continued their explorations, discovering a lever in one hidden corner.

"Don't touch that," said Jenneke. "We'll see if we can find that crystal that Skeller-Te mentioned, and make sure we're not making things worse."

After further searching, they did find a glowing crystal on a pedestal with a strange design drawn in light floating on the surface.

"Brother Michael, what do you make of that?" said Jenneke, stepping back.

Michael moved forward, and looked closely. "I think it's a map ... I think those mark levers, and we need to get the positions of the ones in the prison cells and the statues switched. I rather expect that with the sign calling that the hall of imprisoned souls or the like, that the statues will attack us when we do so, so I'd want to be well-prepared. Until I see the others, I won't know if they need be changed."

"What are we going to do when we get there?" said Thissa. "They ssssay that thissss ssssoul issss quite mad."

"We may have to fight," said Jenneke. "But it'll be better for everyone in the end. I think."

They moved into the chamber, and fought against Delrin-Bok—a Crystal Soul who should have been a sacred guardian to the vahnatai people, but had instead become lost in madness and doing harm to all who passed. With a final bolt, his miserable, tormented existence was ended. With a final, anguished howl, he faded away. An icy breeze blew through the halls of the tomb, and the ominous aura faded as the undead held here by Delrin-Bok were freed.

"Sure hope the vahnatai don't hold that against us," said Jenneke.

"Did we have much choice? He could have done to Skeller-Te and others like him forever, otherwise," said Adrianna.

"I hope they see it that way," said Jenneke. "Let's get out of here, and on our way ..."

They made their way out of the now-abandoned tomb, and continued, finding no one tried to extract payment from them as they passed through the stone spires. Beyond those stones, however, recent cavequakes had torn the cavern apart. Vents had opened to the north, searing lava flowed in rivers across the cave.

"This is not going to be easy," said Jenneke. "Let's try and find a way that doesn't involve parboiling ourselves, ok?"

They finally made it past the lava river, using some stepping stones, and proceeded west, finding a sign that told them Fort Haledon was fifty miles north. As they continued, the heat of the lava-filled cavern faded, and the passage was wide, sloping steeply up to the north. In the ash and dust on the cave floor, there were several sets of recent footprints.

Thissa said, "Look at thessse trackssss."

"I see," said Jenneke. "Probably too much to hope for that they were all from Skeller-Te's group, waking Fort Haledon."

Rounding yet another corner, near exhausted by the steep ascent as they trekked northward, they were met by a large band of armed vahnatai. As the two came nearer, it was obvious that they were examining the approaching group, and then, apparently satisfied they had recognized the party, the vahnatai attacked.

Searching the vahnatai after the battle, they found a vellum scroll covered with human writing.

"Hey, Dree, look, you made the cut," said Jenneke, laughing as he read through the detailed description of their group. "Ends with 'deal with them when you get the chance. -Limoncelli."

"And he doesn't even call me a deserter," said Adrianna, with a note of relief in her voice.

"Of course not," said Jenneke. "They probably think that their soldier is dead."

"Just as well, I suppose," said Adrianna. "I don't know what they'd do to my family. Probably throw them into prison to punish them for my doings."

"That makes no sense," said Nigel.

"Sure it does," said Michael. "Empire always has punished whole families for what one person did."

"All right, we ready to go on?" said Jenneke. "I'm beat. And hungry."

"Yeah, we can rest when we get to the fort," replied Feodoric. "Let's go."

At long last, they stood outside the entrance passage to Fort Haledon. It was guarded by thick granite walls, laced liberally with spikes and slits for missiles and spells.

"Sure glad they're our friends," said Jenneke, as he walked up looking for someone with whom to speak.

At last, they saw a vahnatai mage watching them through a window, his distaste for them obvious. "I am Haineux, aliens," she said.

"Greetings," said Jenneke. "May I speak with you?"

"If you must," said Haineux. "I guard the gate."

"Great," said Jenneke. "Can you open the gate for us, please?"

Seeing no positive reaction, he passed the orders through the narrow window. She looked dubious at best, but returned the papers and made a hand signal, and the gate began to open.

"Not all humans are bad," said Jenneke. "We don't wish to fight against you."

"I never dreamed of fighting with or for humans," said Haineux, shaking her head in disbelief. "But orders are orders, and we obey the council at Olgai. You may pass."

"Thank you," said Jenneke, and he led his group through the gate of the fortress.

The vahnatai greeted them with many looks alternating between distrust and hatred, such that it seemed only the orders from Olgai kept these vahnatai from attacking. Despite the lack of assistance, they made their way to the barracks, hoping to find the commander there. As they entered, the barracks had seemed suspiciously empty. Now it was clear why—several vahnatai had been concealed behind the beds to the north.

One said, "No more tricks, human scum!"

"You humans are the thieves, the enemy!" cried another.

"All humans must pay!" declared another.

There was no time for Jenneke to explain or show the orders, as the recently revealed vahnatai attacked.

"Subdual damage," Jenneke ordered as he met the onslaught, "we can't kill any here."

When the fight was over, Nigel said, "I hope you're right, sarge. They sure weren't trying for prisoners."

"Yeah, I know," said Jenneke. "Let's go find the commander and see what he says. Huh, door locked—Nigel, if you would."

"Sure thing, sarge," said Nigel and he unlocked and opened the door, stepping aside for Jenneke to lead the way into the next room.

They entered the commander's office, and he was at his desk, looking at the group with an expression of fear and distrust.

No way didn't he hear that fight, thought Jenneke. Hell, he probably gave the orders for it.

He stood and moved toward them, clearly nervous and ready to draw his blade, and delivered the barest half-bow, barely recognizable as such a gesture, and said, "I hear you have orders from the Council."

"Yes, sir," said Jenneke, handing over the orders.

The commander read through them, and then sat down and read through them again. He cast a spell upon the scroll, looked surprised, and read them yet again. Then he looked up, his face twisted in horror and shame.

"You really are from the Council! And we ... we thought ... we tried to ..." He fell back in his chair, overwhelmed. "I'm sorry. I am so sorry. We were sure you humans were trying to trick us again."

He took a minute to regain his dignity, and then he stood again, and said. "Fort Haledon is now at your command, as per these orders. We will attack Ornotha Ziggurat, giving our lives if need be to help you enter and obtain the Crystal Soul. When you are ready, go to the entrance of the fort to give the order. The moment you are ready, we will be, too."

"Thank you, sir," said Jenneke. "Is there some place we may rest? We had a hard journey here."

"Yes, of course," said Mahr-Tel. "There is a room set aside for guests on the western wall."

"What are your responsibilities here?" asked Jenneke.

"I command this fort," replied Mahr-Tel. "It is a difficult job, because of its great remoteness."

"It is indeed remote," replied Jenneke. "It took us days to reach it."

"Yes. Also we get little news, tragically little, from our people. All we knew of you humans was that you stole our Crystal Souls and were terribly dangerous. Then you suddenly show up with orders. We were surprised!" said Mahr-Tel, and he shook his head sadly. "Several were convinced it was a trick."

"I assure you, it is no trick," said Jenneke. "I understand why you might think so, without other news. I can tell you that we have already returned Jekknol-Bok to the shrine."

"The orders confirm your statement. The ones who attacked you thought you were evil beings come to fool us," said Mahr-Tel. "I wanted to stop them but not, I confess, not enough. I lead here. I am to blame."

"I see," said Adrianna. "Don't be too hard on yourself."

"No, I am guilty of the attack on you, and that is all there is to say," said Mahr-Tel, hanging his head.

"We don't blame you," said Jenneke. "Could you tell us more of the fort?"

"Fort Haledon, westernmost outpost of our tribe, is easily the most remote," said Mahr-Tel. "It has become very important because of the humans. To the west is a tunnel, blocked by magical barriers. Just beyond it are human lands, choked with the forces of what you call the Empire."

"Then Empire threatens you as well?" said Jenneke.

"If they broke down the barrier and passed through, we could not stand against them. However, we could hold them off long enough for our people to prepare their defenses. That is our mission," said Mahr-Tel. "Or was our mission."

"Was? What is this fort's mission now?" asked Michael.

"Now, our mission is to aid you," replied Mahr-Tel.

"What sort of barriers have you erected against the Empire?" asked Adrianna.

"A very powerful, though not impenetrable, magical barrier," replied Mahr-Tel.

"Will we be able to pass that?" said Adrianna.

"When the attack on Ornotha begins, we will lower the barrier. You will be able to go through, following us," said Mahr-Tel. "But remember, when the attack starts, move quickly, for we can't wait for you long before attacking."

"Understood," said Jenneke. "We shall go take our rest, and then return to discuss the specifics of the work ahead."

After getting some sleep, they returned to the office of Mahr-Tel, reviewing maps and plans.

"Are you ready to attack Ornotha?" said Jenneke.

"When you give the word," said Mahr-Tel. "We will head west through the barrier cavern, and proceed to the ziggurat. Hurry after us, please, so that our doom is not in vain."

"Doom?" said Jenneke. "You have no hope?"

"No. We are strong here, but we haven't the force to take on the whole ziggurat. We will merely clear the way for you to pass through."

"I see," said Jenneke. "We have rested and are ready to continue our efforts now."

With Mahr-Tel, they went to the entrance, and a guard said, "Is it time? Is it time to attack Ornotha Ziggurat and the foul thieves? Are you ready to come with us, humans?"

"Yes," said Jenneke. "Begin the attack on Ornotha Ziggurat. We will be right behind you."

The forces within the fortress leapt into action. Weapons were sharpened, supplies loaded, and the platoons assembled. The vahnatai were prepared, and the force was ready to leave less than two hours after Jenneke's assent.

Mahr-Tel approached the group, and said, "We will march ahead, clearing away resistance and opening barriers. The tunnel to the Empire lands is to the west. Pass through it. From there, the ziggurat will be south, then west. We will hide near the ziggurat as long as we can, and then attack. You must catch up with us by then if you are to profit from our distraction. For sure, we won't be able to hide for more than a day. When you reach the ziggurat, enter it, and we will join you. Good luck, and hurry."

They moved to the west, and found a wide passage blocked by a huge, crackling energy barrier. As they approached, a gap opened, wide enough for them to file through, single-file, and a desiccated vahnatai corpse was on the ground between two barriers, evidently somehow trapped long ago. Respectfully, Jenneke led his group through the barriers and around the body. As they passed onto the other side, the gap in the barrier closed once more.

Upon leaving the cavern, they were about to go further south when they saw a blue crystal drawn on the cave wall. Upon a closer look, they could see a concealed passage in that western wall. They hurried through this passage, and caught up with Fort Haledon's troops.

The troops were pleased to see the group, and Mahr-Tel reviewed the preparations they had prepared.

"Let's go," said Jenneke.

They emerged from the west end of the secret passage. From here, there was a clear view of the Empire Ziggurat, its huge, smooth granite walls looming above the cave floor while many guards were on patrol around the base.

"Let's avoid unnecessary conflicts," said Jenneke. "We can kill extras on the way out."

They hurried across the cave floor, and came into the large natural stone courtyard at the base of the ziggurat. From here, the size of the place was even more obvious. Fortunately, it was undermanned at present, giving them a chance of success, though they remained in incredible danger. The courtyard was filled with fresh Empire soldiers, ready to deal with the intruders, and Jenneke's platoon was massively outnumbered.

Then, with shrill alien cries, the vahnatai of Fort Haledon began to attack. Before Jenneke's patrol could make much progress under the cover of the vahnatai attack, there was a bright flash of light at the northern end of the battlefield. A wizard had appeared—short, stocky, and hunched over, dressed in impossibly black robes. From the way the other soldiers acted, the man was totally in command.

They're fearless, terrifying ... and doomed, thought Jenneke. They'll be overwhelmed, and we better take advantage of the opportunity they're providing in giving up their lives. "OK, hug the east wall, try to stay low and avoid conflict. Our job is to get in, theirs to hold them off so we can," ordered Jenneke, and he started around.

After getting inside, they began carefully moving about halls and corners, killing the troops they encountered.

"Where do you suppose our objective is?" said Jenneke.

"Probably in the highest level," said Adrianna. "That would be the most secure, I'd think."

As they moved through the ziggurat, they saw a training room for covert agents of the Empire, a fake bedroom for staging practice assassinations, jars of white makeup to hide the healthy complexions of the Empire agents.

"Garzahd's chambers?" said Adrianna, stunned as they defeated a guardpost of two dervishes. "It's got to be in there."

They entered, finding a surprisingly simple room, but then Nigel noticed a secret passage, and they continued that way, narrowly avoiding a quickfire trap before facing off against vahnatai undead to reach yet another room. Within this room, a wooden vahnatai case was in the center.

Opening the case, they saw a many-branched blue crystal, glowing with an inner light, and they heard "You aliens ... you are not ... not enemies ... You ... you come from ... my ... my people. Save me. Take me ... take me from here."

"You got it," said Jenneke, "that's what we're here for, taking you home."

As soon as he removed the crystal from the cabinet, the west wall exploded, filling the chamber with granite shrapnel. Through the window, they could see a flying wizard.

The wizard shouted to them, "I am Garzahd, scion of the Empire, and you will pay for your intrusion!"

"Fuck you, Garzahd!" Jenneke shouted back. "We'll just kill you for good measure."

Garzahd pointed a finger, and quickfire started to fill the chamber, and he flew out of sight.

"Oh fuck!" said Jenneke. "We gotta get outta here."

"Just run south," said Adrianna. "It's more important we get Caffren back than any revenge here. Just run for it, and hopefully it will be all right."

They jumped onto the shattered section of the wall and leapt from the ramparts. Sections of the fort burst into flames around them. Fortunately, they could see the roof of the lower section of the ziggurat, and they jumped down to escape. The wizard was still flying above them, laughing wildly, and towers of quickfire appeared to either side. To the south, a group of Empire soldiers.

Smoke obscured the flying wizard, and through the haze, they could see another short drop to the south that would get them to the ground ... if they could get there alive.

Finally, they managed to get to the edge, dropping to the cave floor as the Empire troops began to be overwhelmed with the effort to save the ziggurat from the flames. Moving carefully, they only surprised one patrol, slaying them quickly before more could be alerted, and hurried to the concealed place where the troops of Fort Haledon had camped before the assault.

"I don't see signs of them since," said Michael. "They've sacrificed a great deal of lives."

"They say that any number of lives to get the souls back," said Jenneke. "Let's hurry ... I'm sure they'll let us rest at Haledon so we can make the return safe."

Very few troops were apparent at Fort Haledon as they approached.

Weary and both bloody and scorched, Jenneke arrived at the gate with his platoon.

"May we come in and rest?" said Jenneke. "We have succeeded with this part of our mission."

"You mean?" said Haineux, staring.

"We have Caffren-Bok with us," said Jenneke. "Please ... if we do not rest where it is safe, we might not manage the trip back to the shrine."

Haineux gestured, and the gate was opened, and the skeleton crew of Fort Haledon gathered around.

"Let us see!" said one vahnatai.

"Sure," said Jenneke, wearily revealing Caffren-Bok. "Where's Mahr-Tel?"

"He did not return," said another vahnatai.

Jenneke winced, and said, "Take care of Caffren while we rest and get ready for our journey east."

As they neared the room, Jenneke said, "You guys, go get something to eat ... take your time."

"We'll just unload our stuff," said Nigel, dropping off his pack, armor and arms, and Thissa, Feodoric, and Michael did likewise.

Once the rest of the platoon had gone, Jenneke closed the door and drew Adrianna into his arms. "Let's make the most of our time, shall we?" he said, laughing as she blushed. "We're alive, and I didn't think that was going to be true by day's end today."

"I had a few moments of doubt, myself," said Adrianna.

"I sure hope these beds are up to holding us both," said Jenneke, looking at the seemingly-light beds.

"If not, I suppose it'll be the floor for us," said Adrianna, climbing into one.

Gingerly, Jenneke got into the bed, waited a moment, and hearing no ominous sounds presaging collapse, rolled, bringing Adrianna atop himself. She reached back, covering both of them with the faintly glowing coverlet that appeared to be made of the same material and in the same manner as the vahnatai clothing.

"I love you, Dree," said Jenneke, shifting slightly and pulling her by the hips. "Oh, gods, Dree..."

"And I love you, Jenneke, I was worried back there," said Adrianna.

"And we're alive to fight another day," said Jenneke, "and I want to celebrate that."

It was an hour later when Nigel, evidently drunk on some vahnatai intoxicant, led the rest of the platoon into the guest quarters. Adrianna was already asleep, and Jenneke half dozing.

"We give you enough time?" said Nigel, his words vaguely slurred.

"Yeah, thanks," said Jenneke, as his arm reflexively tightened around Adrianna. "Now shut up—I was almost asleep."

"Sorry, sarge," said Nigel, who was clumsily managing to trip over the beds.

"Whatever that stuff is," said Michael, "I suggest you avoid it in the future, Nigel."

"Tassssted terrible," said Thissa. "Will be glad to return to Avernum."

"Yeah, sure," said Jenneke, "we gotta go to the shrine ... I don't know where after that."

"Elderan's tower sounds good," said Feodoric, "if you want my advice."

"Talk to me on the trip," said Jenneke. "Let a man get some sleep."

After resting and recovering from the arduous time in the ziggurat, Jenneke collected Caffren-Bok, wrapping the Soul up for ease in carrying, and with the rest of his platoon, set out once more for the spore tunnels, and the return to the shrine.

While the journey was long, it was at least uneventful, and they made their way back to the shrine, and once inside made their way to one of the empty pedestals, but it didn't feel right. Moving to the other one, they tried that, and there was a powerful compulsion, and Jenneke placed Caffren-Bok upon the pedestal.

Caffren-Bok's crystal began to glow bright red before it even reached the pedestal. As soon as he had set it into place, the whole group sensed a burst of questions coming from it, addressed not to the platoon, but to the other crystals. The exchange of information continued at a furious pace for some time, and then died down.

Caffren-Bok then spoke, "Thank you for my rescue. Garzahd planned to use my powers for the Empire. He is a wicked and mighty one. I fear he may have one day succeeded. Something should ... must ... be done about him. I wish to rest and rejoice, but there is no time. I am ready to act. Come here and speak with me. There is much I can tell you."

"Where would you like to start?" said Jenneke, reaching for Adrianna's hand.

Caffren-Bok's crystal still glowed with a vital energy. "I am Caffren-Bok, friends. You have risked so much to save me, and I am grateful."

"So, what are you engaged in now?" asked Adrianna.

"I contemplate Garzahd," said Caffren-Bok.

"How to kill the asshole, I hope," said Jenneke.

"He may have been able to do the impossible. He tried to compel me to use my powers at the front of the Empire army, to fight for them. He must die. I will be working with Rentar-Ihrno towards this aim," replied Caffren-Bok.

"So, have you decided anything?" said Jenneke.

"She and I are trying to figure out how one of his power may be slain," replied Caffren-Bok. "We are at a loss."

"Perhaps we can help discover a way to slay him?" said Adrianna.

"Perhaps you may find a way to deal with a human magician. Should you do so, go see Rentar-Ihrno and ask about attacking him. We will give you all the help we can," replied Caffren.

"So, where can Rentar-Ihrno be found?" asked Feodoric.

"She is hard to reach," replied Caffren-Bok. "She lives in the city of Egli. Find her. She may be invaluable in your quest to slay Garzahd."

"Thank you," said Jenneke. "We will do that."

He gestured to the others, and hand-in-hand with Adrianna, they left the Shrine, to return to Olgai.

They were near exhaustion as they entered the Council chamber.

Prossis-Bok stood when they entered, and bowed deeply.

"Welcome, Avernites. You have returned the Soul of Caffren-Bok to us. We will refrain from more than a simple thank you. Your reward rests in a box in one of the eastern rooms. We are concerned about Garzahd, this powerful archmage who steers and fuels the Empire's efforts. Our vengeance shall fall on his head. We saw how you dealt with him, and we believe it is possible you may be able to assassinate him, with our help," said Prossis. "Rentar-Ihrno is the greatest of our mages. She lives in Egli. She has agreed to help you, and says that, should you ever find out where Garzahd's lair is, you should go to her and ask her about attacking. If you never decide to take on this horribly dangerous task, we will understand. However, if you ever want to strike the Empire a true and lasting blow, you know with whom to speak."

"Yes," said Jenneke, "and I do think we'll plan to do that. We just have much more work ahead of us, especially now that our leads on the last Soul have dried up. We're headed back to Avernum to try to find more information."

"Very well," said Prossis-Bok. "The best of luck to you in your continued work on our behalf."