A/N: The world of Exile (Avernum) remains the property of Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software, not me. I promise to return the following persons: Tori, Ethridge, Bartholomew, Thompson, and Rentar-Ihrno; and places: Isolated Beach safehouse, Blosk, the Tiger's Den, Fort Remote, Abusive Trickery, Tower of Magi, Olgai, and Egli when I have finished this bit of non-profit fun.

Leaving Solberg's place, they were about to set off for the southern caves, when Feodoric said, "Remember when we were exploring, and there was that beach house we couldn't get to? Since we can use the orb—suppose we can get there and see what's up?"

"Yeah, we can do that," said Jenneke. "Brother Michael, you got the maps?"

"Yes, sir," said Michael, and he spread them out so that Jenneke could review them.

"Excellent," said Jenneke, "all right, let's move out."

They continued through the twisting tunnels, finding that this area—perhaps due to the isolation—seemed to be one of the safer parts of Avernum during these times of war, and finally came to a neat little house with a woman in mage's garb tending the garden.

"Hello," said Jenneke, introducing the platoon. "It's very difficult to get out here."

"Hello, I'm Tori," she replied. "It's meant to be. This is a safehouse for Avernum's mages, to protect us from Empire assassins."

"How do you know that we aren't assassins?" said Nigel.

"We know a lot about you. We knew you were coming, and we know that you're loyal to Avernum," replied Tori. "The magical protections around this home are invisible and strong."

"So, why are you on such an isolated island?" asked Adrianna.

"Well, I live and think here. That's what this safehouse is for," said Tori. "Empire's been hunting down and killing Avernite mages, assassinating them by magical and non-magical means. Thus, these safehouses were created. It's an ugly business, and will get uglier. That's why many of us are hiding."

"Can you tell us who's in hiding?" said Jenneke.

"Solberg is in his tower to the southwest of Formello. I'm here. Erika is in her tower. And poor Thompson. He disappeared. Nobody knows where he has gone," replied Tori.

"Thompson has disappeared?" said Jenneke, concerned, as he remembered Erika giving them that name as someone who could help in the quest against Garzahd.

"He was researching in Blosk, trying to find new coordinates for the portal. Then he left, overnight. He went into hiding, and nobody knows where," replied Tori. "It's passing strange. His friend Bartholomew is beside himself with worry."

"Who's Bartholomew?" asked Adrianna.

"His companion. They were doing research together in Blosk," replied Tori. "You can still find Bartholomew there. He may know something about where Thompson is. Ask him about it."

"Thanks," said Jenneke, "we'll do that."

"What are you working on now?" asked Feodoric.

"I'm trying to find better ways to get coordinates for the portal," replied Tori. "There is a teleportation portal in the Tower of Magi. If you chant the right phrase when entering it, you can end up anywhere in Avernum. It's a wondrous device."

"It's been rather useful," said Jenneke.

"You want, go on inside," said Tori.

"Thanks," said Feodoric, who did just that, as the others followed.

At a table indoors, there was a young, irritated-looking woman standing at the table, making some sort of mushroom mush, with a battle-axe at the ready.

Looking up briefly, she said, "I'm Ethridge. Hi." And then she continued with her mixture.

"What are you making?" asked Michael.

"I'm working on a potion. Aids in combat. Very powerful, but difficult to make," replied Ethridge.

"A potion ..." said Michael, "so you're an alchemist?"

"That's Brother Michael's specialty," said Jenneke.

"That's right. I'm making a recipe Erika taught me, years ago," said Ethridge. "I studied under her when she was still doing research at the Tower of Magi. I was an apprentice. This was about ten years ago. Powerful, deadly woman. The way this war is going, we could really use her knowledge."

"How great isss her knowledge?" said Thissa.

"She hates the Empire, absolutely hates it. And she has the know-how and the power to do something about it. If only we could reach her tower," replied Ethridge. "The Abyss is north of Dharmon, and her tower is west of the Abyss. And the Abyss is solid Empire territory. The only way you could get to her would be to use the portal."

"Yes, we've been there," said Adrianna. "And she was a great help when we were terribly stuck, no leads."

"What's the axe for?" said Jenneke.

"Defense. We were put here to keep us hidden from Empire assassins," said Ethridge. "We have magical protection, but, well—I don't have that much faith in those."

"I understand," said Jenneke.

"Could you show me how to make the potion?" Michael asked.

"You're Avernites, I'll teach you the recipe if you want—for a price," said Ethridge. "It's a good one. I call it heroic brew. It uses a lot of stuff, including mandrake."

"Sounds very good," said Michael.

After Michael had copied down the recipe, Jenneke said, "Well, we're going to have to get going. Thanks for talking with us."

"Not much else to do," said Ethridge, with the irritation crossing her face again.

Not wanting to provoke trouble, Jenneke led the group on out of the house, and rubbing the orb, they flew across the water to begin the long trek to Blosk.

After weeks of travel, they finally arrived outside the large house in Blosk with a sign declaring it to be the home of Bartholomew and Thompson, Magical Researchers.

A worn down man in mage robes stared at the group nervously.

"I am Bartholomew," he said. "What do you want?"

"Hello, I'm Sergeant Jenneke, Avernum Army," he said, "my wife Adrianna, Nigel, Thissa, Feodoric, and Brother Michael. Bit curious about your work."

"Not that it is any business of yours," said Bartholomew, "but I am doing magical research for the benefit of Avernum."

"Research about what?" asked Adrianna.

"I am certainly not at liberty to tell you about it. Now please leave, before I call the guard," said Bartholomew. "You are not welcome here."

"Wait," said Jenneke. "We're looking for Thompson. Do you know where he is?"

Bartholomew looked surprised, and said, "You know of Thompson? He's not here. He's disappeared. We were working on secret research together, but one day I woke up and he was gone. And all he left me was this useless message!"

"Could we perhaps see the message?" asked Adrianna.

"He left me a note saying he left a message on the back of his dresser. I found the message, but I can't understand it!" said Bartholomew, and he shook his head. "The work goes slow without his help. I hope someone finds him soon."

"Anything else you can tell us about him?" asked Jenneke.

"No. This is a private home," said Bartholomew. "I appreciate your trying to find my ... friend, but you are not welcome here. Go now."

"We'll just take a look at that message, see if it helps," said Adrianna, "and be on our way."

Pulling the dresser away from the wall, they found the message, written in a magical code developed in Avernum.

Feodoric read, "Found something I shouldn't know, and the Empire knows it. I must flee before they get to me. The Scimitar has a hideaway in Fort Remote. I am going there. If you absolutely must find me, go there and ask Fraitus of me. You will need a key. I hid it in the lair of a tiny undead cult west of Formello, in a room with no doors. Good luck my friend. Signed Thompson."

Jenneke moved the dresser back into place, and said, "Nothing like having to trek all over Avernum."

"Don't need to, Sarge," said Nigel. "I think that's the key we found in the room with the demon that we had to break through the cracked wall."

"You're probably right," said Jenneke. "OK, we'll go to Fort Remote, and only if that isn't the right key, head back up Formello way."

"Before we go to Fort Remote," said Adrianna, "there was some talk about those rakshasi possibly having gotten the ring of will and some bolts and arrows of light."

"Yeah, ok," said Jenneke, "we'll head south and deal with them, and then go west to Fort Remote. A plan?"

"Yes," said Adrianna.

"Agree," said Thissa.

Jenneke led the group out, and said to Bartholomew, "Thanks—I think that is the lead we need to find him. Good luck with ... uh, whatever your research is."

"Thank you, please go," said Bartholomew, who was visibly nervous until the door closed quickly behind the platoon.

Following up on the leads, they moved with some trepidation into the tunnels leading to what they had learned was a den of rakshasi. After exploring, they found a number of ice puddings, and killing them, found themselves in a shockingly hot room, with hot coals filling the entire room after they opened the concealed door. Beyond this room, though, the cave was intensely cold. The frosty cavern was filled with hunting trophies displayed on poles—not merely simple beasts, but also sliths, nephilim, and humans.

Continuing their fight from room to room, they found the place crawling with rakshasi, slaying them—no doubt aiding Avernum again by removing another one of the bizarre threats to life within the caves.

Leaving the caves, they started for Fort Remote, as Jenneke said, "I swear, seems everyone but us already knew about the vahnatai."

"It does seem odd," said Feodoric. "How do you suppose they learned of them?"

"Dunno," said Jenneke. "I don't think they'd be friends ... unless they're part of that faction helping Empire, which is always possible, I guess."

They reached Fort Remote, and found within an aging wizard, reading rituals from a dog-eared spellbook.

At their approach, he closed the book and looked up, and said, "Greetings, adventurers for I can tell from your look that that is what you must be. I am Fraitus."

Jenneke introduced the group and then said, "What are you studying?"

"I am preparing spells of defense," replied Fraitus.

"What sort of spells do you use?" asked Adrianna.

"Nothing complicated. Mass hastes, strength spells, and such. Things for when the Empire attacks," said Fraitus.

"So, you're expecting an attack then?" said Nigel.

"They've been pretty quiet recently. But you never know," said Fraitus. "This fort is well-defended enough to withstand their assaults, especially because of the runes."

"Can you tell us more about the runes?" asked Adrianna.

"The outer wall is supplemented with runes enchanted with powerful defensive magic. I helped create them. When we wish, anything near them is blasted to dust. Our walls are magically hardened as well," replied Fraitus. "This fort can fall, but it will take a mighty blow to defeat it."

"We're looking for a wizard named Thompson," said Jenneke. "Have you seen him?"

Fraitus looked startled, and looked around and then bent closer to lower his voice. "Yes, he came here. He is in hiding below. He is convinced that the Empire wishes to destroy him. He came here one night, and the next morning he disappeared. Before he was gone, though, he told me the secret of his hiding place, should someone need to find him."

"We definitely need to see him," said Jenneke.

"He said that to find him, you must look behind the painting in the eastern guest room. Press the button there, and you can enter his chambers," said Fraitus.

"Thanks," said Jenneke.

Jenneke led the group into the eastern guest room, and after poking around, they found and pressed the button, and a bit of southern wall fell away, and they followed the revealed passage to a stairway. At the bottom of the stair, there was a massive gate, closed and locked, runes surrounding the keyhole.

Nigel took the key he mentioned, and it fit perfectly, unlocking the door without further difficulty.

Walking through the door, they found themselves in an odd hall, filled with onyx pillars, but no sign of anything else. It took some time of investigating before they realized that there were different styles of tile on the floor, and that by stepping on some, they could find a button hidden under a garbage pile which caused a bit of north wall to move aside, and by avoiding other tiles, it remained open until they passed through.

Moving down the hall, they stepped on another tile, and there was a click, followed by grinding stone, and looking back, they saw they could not return the way they had come. Entering the next room, they saw a garden of some sort of potted plants, spaced so that it was impossible to go forward without stepping on the runes in the gaps.

"Probably very dangerous," said Jenneke. "Be on guard."

As they passed the first rune, spores flew off the plants, and they felt rather fuzzy headed. Michael looked concerned, and started passing out potions, and he continued doing so as they passed, negating ill-effects as they went along.

Suddenly, the last rune caused all the barriers forcing movement over the runes to disappear, as the plants became animated attacking plants. The fight was fierce, but not as bad as it might have been without Michael's potions, and they followed down another hallway.

Here, they finally reached Thompson, a small, harried-looking man who appeared profoundly relieved that those who had just broken into the safehouse did not mean to kill him.

In a weak voice, he said, "I know you. I've heard of you. I am Thompson. Welcome."

Jenneke introduced the group and said, "How do you spend your time?"

"I can travel with my mind," said Thompson. "I explore the area, and I share what I have learned with Avernum."

"Learned anything we might find interesting?" said Jenneke.

"Maybe. I have been watching the rakshasa lair to the east. I have found that they have been trying hard to make magical items that would be especially damaging to demons. I have no idea why," said Thompson. "They have completed arrows and bolts which would severely damage any demon they hit. I thought it was very interesting."

"It was very difficult to find you," said Jenneke. "What are you doing here?"

He bowed his head, and said, "Hiding. Cowering like a vole."

"You are like a vole?" said Adrianna, who'd never heard the use of the term by the people of the Abyss for Avernites.

"Or some other sort of small, grubby creature," said Thompson.

"Why did you decide to go into hiding?" asked Adrianna.

"I'm not paranoid. Coming here, I was one step ahead of my potential assassins," said Thompson. "But I'm safe here, and I can tell you what I have discovered."

"Please do," said Jenneke.

He sat, and said, "You see. I was doing research for the Tower of Magi. I was trying to discover coordinates for their portal. It's a wondrous creation—can send you anywhere, if you only know the right thing to chant when you step into it! I was trying to discover the chants. I'd developed a special technique."

"Exactly what sort of technique did you develop?" asked Feodoric.

"I can travel with my mind, all over Avernum. And I figured out a way to match coordinates with the places where I ended up. But that's technical, and not very important," said Thompson. "What is important was that one day, when traveling through the ether, I became lost!"

"Go on," urged Adrianna.

"I traveled too far away to be safe. I wandered for hours, looking for a landmark. And eventually, I ended up outside a huge fortress, black and surrounded by lava and chasms! And when I was there, the master of the fort detected me!" said Thompson.

"Do you know who detected you?" asked Feodoric.

"It was Garzahd! It was his fortress! He detected me, and I fled before he could disrupt me," said Thompson. "I finally found my way home, after many more hours, but it was too late. I had the forbidden knowledge."

"What knowledge?" said Adrianna, a little sharply.

"I detected the coordinates to reach Garzahd's fortress, and he knew it. That's why he will stop at nothing to kill me, and anyone who finds him out. And that is why I must tell you that they ..." he said, and took a deep breath before continuing, "the coordinates are Vag Obb Tor." He sighed, and said, "What a relief."

"Why didn't you tell others the coordinates?" said Adrianna.

"I could not. I would be giving them a death sentence. I can only give the coordinates to those who seek it. As it is, I'm still probably a dead man," said Thompson. "At least now the secret won't die with me."

"Thank you," said Jenneke. "That's the knowledge we needed."

"You will be able to get out this way," said Thompson, pushing a button. "Best of luck to you."

"Thanks," said Jenneke, "we'll make good use of the knowledge, I promise."

Leaving the bizarrely defended safehouse, Jenneke led the group back upstairs into the otherwise unremarkable guest room.

"Where to now, Sarge?" said Nigel.

"Tower of Magi," replied Jenneke. "But we've got to go down to the vahnatai lands again. I remember Caffren-Bok seemed to think Rentar would help us if we wanted to get Garzahd."

"I'm sure she would," said Adrianna. "If she doesn't want to do the job herself."

"Never know," said Jenneke.

The long journey across from Fort Remote to the Tower of Magi was almost enough to make them wish that they could use some sort of portal from their destination to the Tower of Magi, but at long last, they arrived, and made their way to the portal to vahnatai lands, and from there to the city of Egli.

Arriving in Rentar-Ihrno's, they exchanged awkward pleasantries, and then Jenneke said, "We are trying to destroy Garzahd, a powerful Empire wizard. Can you help?"

She nodded, and said, "I will help you. I savor revenge against that surface-worlder fool who dared insult us. Go to Garzahd's fortress. I will watch you. When you get there, I will go to you and give you aid."

"How will you help us?" said Adrianna.

"I will help you gain entry to his fortress. I have made study of it. I can help you get in. However, due to certain special protections, I best not deal with the worm myself. But if you reach his home, I can help you gain his presence," said Rentar-Ihrno. "The rest will be up to you."

"Thank you," said Jenneke, "I'm sure that will be invaluable. We now have to go and prepare."

They left Rentar, and once they had finished with the ferry from Egli, started for Olgai again.

"I will not be sorry that I don't expect to make another trip to the vahnatai lands," said Jenneke.

"No, I feel even ssso, they do not much like usss," said Thissa.

"Not to mention, the portal hurts," said Adrianna.

"There's always, that, too," said Jenneke.

Reaching the Tower of Magi by the portal from the vahnatai, they made their way to the quarters provided for them, resting and preparing for what they expected to be one of the greatest battles of the war yet.

"Jenneke, I cannot do it," said Adrianna, looking both worried and terrified as she twisted the ring of will on her finger.

"Dree, what's wrong?" said Jenneke. "We can't back away now ... Garzahd has to die."

"I ... I'm afraid, Jenneke," said Adrianna. "I can't ... I couldn't bear ..."

"You think you're with child?" said Jenneke, as an expression of apprehension came across his face.

Mutely, Adrianna nodded.

"OK, it's not impossible," said Jenneke. "We can do this ... I just gotta think ..."

Jenneke was still pacing restlessly when Nigel and Thissa re-entered the quarters.

"What's wrong, Sarge?" said Nigel.

"Another wrinkle in the plans," said Jenneke.

"What's that?" said Nigel.

"Doesn't matter to you," said Jenneke. "My worry, not yours."

"What's to worry? We got the athame, we got Rentar-Ihrno's help, whatever that is, the coordinates, demonslayer, ring of will, smoky quartzes out the ..." said Nigel. "It's Adrianna?"

"If I wanted to tell you now," said Jenneke, "I would've."

"What's that?" said Michael, entering the room.

"I need to know how to protect Dree," said Jenneke.

"Protect her?" said Nigel. "Fuck, sarge, she's not so bad taking care of herself."

"Not just her ..." said Jenneke.

"Shit, you mean ..." said Nigel, "you knocked her up again?"

"Don't you ..." said Jenneke.

"Take it easy," said Michael. "Sergeant, is she with child?"

"Yeah," said Jenneke. "And she's afraid now ..."

"Understandable," said Michael. "I'll talk with Mother Clarisse and see what we can come up with."

With that, Michael left the room again, and Jenneke glared at Nigel, and said, "Don't you start."

"No, sir," said Nigel holding his hands up in surrender.

"Issss it too ssssoon?" said Thissa.

"It's almost four months since we were in Angierach," said Jenneke. "I guess ... Well, I guess it's not."

"What's not?" said Feodoric, as he stepped into the quarters.

"Sarge and his lady been busy again," said Nigel.

"Is she all right?" said Feodoric.

"Yeah, fine," said Jenneke. "She'll kill me, talking about it already ... Just scared ... don't want things to go ... the way they did before."

"I understand that," said Feodoric. "We can work out a strategy."

"Such as?" said Jenneke.

"Such as this," said Michael, re-entering, and taking a seat at the table. "Give this to Adrianna."

"I don't understand," said Jenneke, looking at the plain gold band.

"Specially enchanted against poison," said Michael. "It will protect her, and I can provide additional protection."

Adrianna came out of the bedchamber portion of their quarters and said, "Did you tell everyone?"

"Just the guys," said Jenneke. "Dree ..."

"Congratulationssss," said Thissa, "isss happy ..."

"A little early to say that," said Adrianna.

"Dree, Brother Michael here has another ring for you to wear," said Jenneke. "This one and the ring of will. This one," and he took her hand, sliding it onto her finger, "is enchanted against poison."

"And what of all the other powers that he has?" said Adrianna. "It's going to be too hard ... we won't survive it."

"And if Garzahd's not killed, Avernum might not survive," said Jenneke. "We have to, Dree—who else can take it on? We've got a plan—you and me, we'll concentrate on Garzahd. Me with Demonslayer here, you with that mindduel thing."

"Right," said Nigel. "Me and Thissa will take care of keeping the way clear for you, and Feddy and Brother Michael can be the team support."

"And when it's over," said Jenneke, "I'll see if I can get a nice safe posting for the rest of the war ... ok, Dree?"

"You think they'd do that?" she said.

"For heroes like us?" said Jenneke. "Sure, why wouldn't they?"

"I'm sure they would," said Michael. "After all, once Garzahd is dead, it'll be like cutting the head from the animal—they'll probably fight on for a while before realizing they've lost, but the fight won't be as bad."

"All right, then—are we ready?" said Jenneke.

"Yes," said Adrianna.

"That's the woman I love," said Jenneke, pulling her close and kissing her. "It'll be all right, Dree. Nothing we haven't done before."

He released her, and then went to pull on the armor, cinching it into place, and getting Demonslayer and other gear ready. The others, meanwhile, donned their armor, readied their arms and gear, and with that, they left their quarters.