Been a while since anything on here hot updated but I'm working on this one now and providing I don't get bitten by any more story ideas I should have some more of this out soon. Anyway characters you know do not belong to me but Jerel, Vental and Kalon are all mine. There is character death in this part - it's a battle so you should expect it - but I'm letting you know just in case.

It was over a week since Aerie and Haer'Dalis had returned bearing the news that Nalia was leading the demon army and that they planned on attacking near Candlekeep. Ailana had led her small army out there one that was slowly growing as the days passed. At first it had mainly been her friends and a small band of thieves and knights but now her numbers neared 10 thousand and she knew that it would not be enough. Renal had proved yet again that he was a good friend and he had contacted others guilds calling in old debts and so her number of thieves and assassins as well as various mages they numbered 500 in total and while she doubted they would fare all that well against demons she knew that numbers would be important. There were over 1000 knights of the radient Heart lead by Keldorn and their numbers had been swelled by clerics and the troops belonging to the major and minor faiths in Athkatla and other areas doubling their numbers. There were others as well one of the biggest surprises being a group of elves from Suldanessellar arriving though only a small number she was glad of their help.

"Lady Ailana?" Jerel called from nearby she looked up to see the elven war leader standing nearby.

"My lord Jerel how may I assist you?" She asked intrigued by what the elf would want as he had remained apart from the others for the most part only mingling with them during planning sessions.

"Is it possible for us to talk in private? I have received word from my queen and feel I must impart her words to you."

"Certainly follow me." Ailana said knowing that anything Ellesime had to say would be of importance.

She reached the tent which had been set as a command tent, two of the young knights stood by the entrance both stood to attention when she got there.

"Don't let anyone in here until I say so." Ailana said used to having her orders obeyed after building up this army.

"We won't." One of them promised. Jerel nodded at them and the elf and human entered the tent.

"Ellesime only contacted me last night. As I am sure you are aware due to her connection to our city and through it too nature she can contact individuals while they are asleep if she so wants. Last night she contacted me and said that several of our priests have had dreams about the coming battle." Jerel said staring at the floor.

"Is this something that'll be important to how the battle turns out?" Ailana asked wondering if she needed some of the others in the tent

"This is something that you need to hear, if you feel that you must tell others than you must do so but for now I think it best that you alone hear what I have to say." Jerel said.

When he left her tent half an hour later Ailana was sitting stunned by what he had told her. She jumped when a hand was laid on her shoulder a hand was on her sword when she realised Keldorn was standing behind her hands in a non-threatening position.

"You startled me."

"Sorry, Jerel came to find me said you would need someone to talk to." The knight said with a gentle smile.

"Ellesime sent him a message about the battle." Ailana said

"Does she think we will win?"

"We will win but many of those here will never go home, and me … I have a choice to make. It seems that the gods have not yet finished with me and they still feel I should take my fathers throne … but enough of the future, how go the preparations for battle?"

"We will be ready Ailana." Keldorn promised.

"Ellesime tells me that we have till tomorrow then we must fight." Ailana said looking up and at the knight with eyes much older than her years.

"Tomorrow we will win and by nightfall we will have Anomen back with you once more." Keldorn said with a smile and if he noticed that Ailana's smile was forced he did not comment.

The next morning:

For Ailana the next morning came far too quickly, she had not slept much the night before her dreams full of nightmares. When she left her tent dressed in her leather armour and already fully armed, potions were tucked into a pouch at her waist. She was not surprised to find much of her army in the process of preparing for the fight ahead.

"Ailana." Sarevock called from behind her.

"Sarevock?"

"I wish to be by your side in the battle ahead. Viconia is more than capable of leading the were's. They trust her and will follow her lead." Sarevock rumbled.

"I would be glad to have you by my side." Ailana said as her brothers trust was one thing that she had learnt to depend on.

By the time that the first scouts started to report in that the demons had been seen Ailana's army was in place. She stood with Sarevock and Minsc on a low hill looking at her troops. The left flank of her army was made up of clerics who were both magic users and fighters. Her centre was made up of the Paladins and thieves while the right flank was a mix of elves, gnomes and dwarves. Someway behind these was the rest of her army, Viconia and Soulafein stood with almost 400 were's ready to move wherever needed, Logan of Trademeet had gathered together a small force of 100 men all prepared to fight.

Ailana's friends were mixed in with the army, Kevan, Aerie, Jan and Haer'Dalis were on the right flank with the assorted races of Amn. Valygar, Mazzy, Kalon and Keldorn were in the centre. Vental, Edwin and Cernd stood with the clerics. Taking a last moment to glance round and try to memorise many of the faces Ailana turned to the battlefield and the approaching demon horde, somewhere amongst them were her sister and the man Ailana loved more than life itself. Sitting on the shoulder of one of the demons was a copper haired woman dressed in red and black with eyes that glowed red. Time stretched as she watched and then the two huge armies collided.

"Go for their eyes Boo go for their eyes!" Minsc yelled as he attacked another demon in the seemingly unending attack. By his side Ailana fought fiercely waiting for a chance to see Nalia and demand that Anomen and Imoen be returned to her. Sarevock was fighting his own battle a short distance away fighting a Marilith and when Ailana last glanced at him her brother seemed to be holding his own. Hurriedly drawing one of the few un-enchanted daggers she threw it towards the magic golem that was drifting towards her and was grateful to see it fall, sword in one hand and enchanted knife in another she looked to see where she could go next. Seeing a flash of red and black she moved away from her brother and protector to try and end it once and for all.

Valygar and Mazzy fought as they never had before, all the enemies they had battled together when they had journeyed with Ailana and all those they had fought since then none had been as difficult as the fight now before them. Mazzy heard Valygar grunt in pain behind her but she could not take her eyes of the demon in front of her long enough to check on her beloved, it was only when his presence was gone from her back that she dared to glance round seeing him on his knees weapons dropped from nerveless fingers, a campion poised over him, feeling claws digging deeply into her back Mazzy breathed a prayer to her goddess and hurried to her lovers side. A faint blue shield surrounded them one that the demons were unable to penetrate,

"Valygar?" She questioned softly as his eyes did not seem focused on her. With an effort he focused on her.

"Mazzy? How goes the battle?" He gasped.

"Right shall triumph this day." She promised him.

"That is good." He smiled, eyes closing and head lolling to the side.

"Wait for me my love, I shall be with you shortly." Mazzy promised as she pressed a kiss to his forehead. Getting to her feet slowly she could feel blood seeping from her back, she was feeling dizzy and knew that she had just a short time to live. Sword in hand she detonated her shield instantly slaying several demons and dived into the fight, demons surrounded her and finally their sheer numbers wore her down.

So what do you think? There is still more to come next time Nalia and Ailana finally clash.
Love it? Hate it? Let me know.