Guild Wars: Vengeance

by Ewol Navi

Called out of exile, a lone ranger returns home to the Land of the Golden Sun and finds the continent at war. In her quest to save Elona from evil and tyranny she makes alliances, forges a guild and faces the demons of Torment. Joined by an intrepid elementalist, she must end the ambitions of a mad Warmarshal ... before Nightfall comes. (Novelization of Guild Wars: Nightfall)

17. Chapter 16: The Nightmare Man

Ch. 16

The Nightmare Man

The days that followed the birth of Dormant Vengeance were lively ones. Deciding to solidify the leadership of the guild, Rakiv publically named the Sunspear commanders and her own team members as guild officers and set them to varying tasks. Melonni, Nerashi and Rojis were assigned to the guild's Intelligence department. Melonni was tasked with investigating Varesh's recent redirections of the River Elon, and finding out what the Warmarshal hoped to accomplish. Nerashi was sent to stalk the regions around the Sanctuary, monitoring the movements of Kournan troops and sending reports back to keep the guild well informed. Rojis became a gleaner of domestic information, and the veteran Sunspear was quite content to disguise himself as a Kournan commoner and move from town to town to find out what the people were saying about current events.

To strengthen what few fighting men they had, Rakiv assigned Kydar, Koss and Anorah to Basic Training. Koss took to the job eagerly and the burly Sunspear set up an entire boot camp in one of the larger northern caves. With constructs of sticks, straw and twine as their sparring dummies, the Zaishen dervish and Sunspear warrior drilled their men rigorously to prepare them for the battles ahead. Kydar decided to take a more passive approach and chose to distribute a variety of literature amongst the guild's caster classes, allowing them to teach themselves. Anicara however, insisted that the older elementalist instruct her personally, and so they began a daily ritual of honing the water mage's skills.

Dunkoro and Lonai settled into the Administration branch of the guild, overseeing the day to day tasks that required completion. They also commissioned a small task force to act as an internal police force, a small precaution in case disputes between guild member should require their attention. Alendra sat in Rakiv's cabinet as their resident Tactician, keeping track of the reports Nerashi sent back and offering suggestions for the guild's next move. When even Tahlkora received the assignment of joining the guild's infirmary to tend to soldiers, Anicara couldn't help but ask their new Guildmistress what her job was to be.

"You are Special Forces," Rakiv responded to her, during one of the nightly officer meetings.

It had been over a week since the guild's inception and so far things were running smoothly. The members of the guild had come to subsist on food supplies sent to them by their investor, Zudash Dejarin, who had disguised the goods as part of a trade contract with Elder Jonah of Ronjok. In return for his support, the former Trademarshal had begun to make greater demands of the fledgling guild, and his tasks were increasing in difficulty.

"Not only that," Alendra said, looking over her notes, "But our activity has gotten us some attention from the people. Rojis' last report says that we're like a rural legend in the villages and towns around here. We're getting official requests for jobs now, and word has it there are quite a few people looking to join the guild."

"So… I'm your agent?" Anicara tried to clarify.

"That's what you did for Kormir right?" Rakiv asked, looking up at the mage who stood at the end of the table, "Solo missions for when she couldn't use troops to do the job?"

"Yeeeah…" the mage said uncertainly.

"Well I'll be having you do similar things," Rakiv said with a nod, leaning back and stretching out her arms, "Nothing too rigorous. But every so often we'll need someone who can go out and speak for the guild. Your job would basically be to just go out, talk to these folks who are asking for our help and work out the details. Or maybe go out and retrieve some fugitives looking to join up with us for shelter. I need you because the assignments themselves won't be dangerous, but since we're in enemy territory, it has to be someone who is capable of handling themselves in tight situations and knows how to outsmart the enemy."

"Oh…" Anicara replied, thinking the job description over, "I guess I can do that."

"We can't use any of our other men cause they need to stay secret and safe," Alendra explained, "If we send you into a situation that turns out to be a set up, we can get you out safely and you can still operate. Basically, when you're out there you are the guild, and it doesn't much matter who knows it. You'll pop in to do the job, and then disappear just as quickly."

"Do I get any back up?" the girl asked a little nervously, "Or am I totally deep cover?"

"Oh you'll have a team," Rakiv nodded to her, "Koss is preparing our best archers as we speak. They follow you into every situation and be your back up. For certain situations we might send them in ahead of you, but they'll always be close enough to shoot anyone that might try to hurt ya."

"Can I meet them sometime?" Anicara asked the ranger, "I'd like to see the people I'm working with."

"Sure," Rakiv responded with a muffled yawn, "Drop by the drill camp any time. Didja need anything else?"

"No, Guildmistress," Anicara saluted, an action which brought a sigh from Rakiv.

"Alright, then if there's nothing else to do…" the ranger paused, looking around the table before smacking a fist to the table, "Meeting adjourned."

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The following morning Anicara made her way to the drill camp cave later than usual, carrying a scroll in her hands which she read over carefully. A thin eyebrow arched as she perused the parchment's contents, though her concentration was broken as a spout of flame caught her attention. The mage looked up to find her new mentor performing a bit of practice of his own in the center of the cavern. Kydar stood in the middle of the ring of training dummies, his feet bare as he spread his stance in the sand. The scribe had discarded his tunic, leaving his upper half bare save for the dark crimson gloves he seemed to never take off. Long black braids hung in his face and his chest heaved, taking in a deep breath and exhaling slowly as toned muscles flexed beneath the earthen tones of his skin. A pulsing red rune of attunement glowed to life on his chest, and after a silent pause for focus, he began.

The elementalist's form began with a swift step forward, as he brought his fist into the 'chest' of the training dummy in front of him. A swift turn pivoted him around the straw opponent and he delivered a hard elbow to the back of its "head". The other dummies apparently took notice of the abuse their fellow strawman was taking, for the pyromancer immediately turned on them as well. A rapid kick to the nearest dummy set it rocking on its wooden post, as the elementalist spun and back-handed another strawman with a gloved fist. Another acted as his spring board, as he planted both feet into its chest and pushed off of it. The scribe peformed a soaring backflip, a surprising feat for one of his profession, and he murmured rapidly as he cast in mid-air. His foot and knee touched the ground and as they did his fist struck the earth, releasing a raging Inferno into the gathered dummies. Still the scribe did not slow down, pirouetting to throw a Flare into an 'approaching' dummy, and stopping another opponent with a scorching blast of his Glowing Gaze. A Fireball flew through the air, detonating amidst a crowd of dummies as he pummeled another strawman with rapid Flares from both fists. As he began to murmur under his breath once more, the scribe fended off the 'attackers' with expert grace and skill. His every move was precise, never stepping out of pace or breaking his established rhythm. Spinning away from his latest victim the scribe thrust a hand to the ceiling and unleashed his spell, bringing a Fire Storm down upon his opponents.

The falling flames reflected in Anicara's wide blue eyes as she watched the other elementalist slowly turn around, gulping air as streams of heat rained about him. Beads of sweat glistened across his torso, and he threw his hair back out of his face as he panted for breath. As he looked up for the first time, he took notice of the water mage and gave a breathless chuckle while waving for her to come over. Anicara complied, striding across the stone floor to the edge of the ring just as the last of the flames died away. The burning dummies soon put themselves out as the persistant protection spells Dunkoro had placed upon them went to work. The strawmen took a beating from students and instructors every day, and always came out none the worse for wear. Kydar held up one finger, taking a moment to catch his breath before walking through the practice ring to meet his new student.

"Whatcha got there kid?" he asked, wiping a line of sweat from his brow.

"Uhm…" the mage blinked, and looked down as she suddenly remembered the scroll in her hands, "Oh! Oh this. This is my mission for today. Some guy named Kerendu and his sons have been looking to join up with us. They've got some useful supply lines we can use, so Dunkoro said to bring them in. They uhm…" she paused as she looked up at him, and then quickly forced her attention back down to her parchment, "They were supposed to meet us at uh… the Sunward Marches but Nerashi found them south of here, near Gandara. I'm supposed to go back her up and help these guys get to the Sanctuary."

"Ahh," Kydar said, wiping his face with a towel, "So no practice today?"

"Oh! Oh no I've got time," she nodded quickly, "Nerashi wanted me to meet her in Poghan Passage at noon. So I've got a few hours before I need to head out."

"Alright," he responded, throwing the towel over his shoulder, "But I think we'll take it easy today anyway. I had something else planned for ya."

"Yeah?" she asked, blinking up at him.

"Mhm," he nodded in reply, "C'mon, over here."

The scribe led the younger elementalist across the cave, to the banks of one of the many streams that coursed through the underground caverns. A beam of sunlight shone on the spot his chose, warming two large boulders that rested at the water's edge. Kydar sat cross legged atop one boulder, and indicated that Anicara should do the same on the other. Once the other mage was comfortable Kydar rested his hands on his knees and took a deep breath.

"Today we're going to discuss a little magical theory," Kydar nodded to her, "You've got natural talent, and a hell of a lot of raw power, but I think we need to focus it a little with a better understanding of what we, as elementalists, are supposed to do."

"Alright," she said with a smile, "Lay it on me."

"Well first off, what do you know about the schools of magic?" he asked her.

"Uhm… there's four of them," Anicara responded, recalling some of the books she had read on the subject, "Preservation… Aggression… Destruction and Denial," she nodded triumphantly.

"Yup," Kydar agreed with her, "That's our understanding of magic in the world today. And as a caster, you can focus on any one of these schools. As an Elementalist, your focus is the school of Destruction, and on the battle field that is what your role is. To wreak absolute havoc on your enemies."

"Easy for you to say," she chuckled lightly, "You can just burn everything in sight."

"True," he laughed and nodded, "But no matter what element you're wielding, your goal is still Destruction. Let's take Earth Magic for example. Many of the spells of the Earth element are highly defensive, which would make one think that it lies in the Preservation school. This is not entirely true however, as the ability to stop and block your enemies attacks will ultimately lead to their destruction. With Earth Magic, the end goal is not to protect, protection is only a means to an end. It's for this reason that a lot of the Earth elementalists that I've known often say 'The best offence is a good defense'."

"Ahh.." Anicara nodded with understanding, "So it's about the end game? That if you can't destroy them yourself, do things that push them to being destroyed?"

"Exactly," Kydar nodded, "So let's look at Water Magic. While your line deals considerable amounts of damage, a lot of your spells are based on undermining your opponent's mobility right?"

"And them not being able to move, means that they're easier to crush," Anicara concluded, "Or freeze, or pierce or whatever," she added with a laugh.

"Perfect," he grinned to her, "And that's where your magic might look like Denial, keeping your enemy from being able to move. But in the end it just means you facilitating his Destruction. The reason I'm telling you all this is because it's important that you understand how other professions affect you, and how each of these schools find a place in your own magic."

"Find a place?" Anicara blinked, "Aren't I supposed to focus on Destruction?"

"Not at the expense of ignoring the other opportunities you have," Kydar shook his head, "Remember, Destruction is the end result you want. But you also need to be aware of how to get to it. All of magic used to be whole, not split up into these different schools. So parts of the schools still overlap. If you know where these overlaps are, you can make use of them to achieve your ends."

"I see…" she responded slowly, "So it's like… my Armor of Frost is more on the Preservation side of things, which in the end keeps me safe long enough to do serious damage to my attacker?"

"Good!" Kydar smiled brightly, "But I want to focus you on a different side of Preservation today, mostly in relation to your Energy. I've noticed you tend to wear yourself out with your casting."

"Yeah… some of my spells come with a pretty high price tag," she chuckled, scratching the back of her neck lightly.

"A lot of our spells do," Kydar nodded in agreement, "But there are ways of bringing down how much effort we have to put behind a spell, or even better, we can get back some of what we put in."

"How's that?" Anicara asked.

"There's a number of ways," he nodded, and tapped his chest where the glyph still glowed, "But my favorite is the Attunement. It's a spell that brings you more in touch with your element, so that when you invoke the elemental power, the force of the magic itself re-energizes you."

"Okay… so how do I do it?" she inquired eagerly.

"It's very simple actually. You know the feeling when you cast a spell? That rush of the elemental energy flowing through you?" he asked her.

"Yeah," she replied simply.

"What you do is reach back, to where you feel that rush start at," he said, "Focus your attention there… find the source, and then give it a little tap with your own energy. Almost like trying to cast the element itself."

The girl closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath as she focused. Her magic had always felt like it flowed from her extremities, starting in her hands and feet and welling through her body towards her head. Anicara focused on her toes and finger tips, brow furrowing as she chased the elusive cooling sensation that always accompanied her casts.

"You got it?" she heard his voice drift to her.

"Yeah… yeah I think so," she replied dreamily.

"Now hit it," he commanded.

Anicara's nose scrunched as she forced her energy to the ethereal source of her magic… and immediately felt it respond in kind. Blue eyes snapped open and she gasped as a surge of calming cold rolled through her. Unlike other casts, the cold did not leave her and instead began to cycle through her body, generating a peaceful and focusing sensation within her. A blue glyph slowly glowed to life on her stomach, pulsing lightly with the magic within.

"Excellent!" Kydar exclaimed, "Very well done!"

"Thanks," she grinned happily, poking at the glyph on her skin experimentally, "It really does feel… helpful I guess. Like I could cast almost anything, only better."

"Well that's a good start," he nodded, unfolding his legs and stretching out, "We're gonna keep working on this. Your energy can do more than just empower your spells. It can heal you, protect you and even hurt others. For now though, I want you to practice this."

The scribe stood up, digging a piece of parchment out of his pocket and handing it to her. Anicara looked it over and her eyes widened in surprise.

"Another Elite spell!" she exclaimed, looking up at him, "I can't cast this!"

"I have faith that you can cast anything you want Ani. You just have to know that you can do it too," he nodded sagely, though was forced to give a sigh and a chuckle when the girl responded with an unconvinced stare, "Just look it over, practice the basics and see what you can do.'

"Okay, I'll try…" the young mage nodded, and then paused as she looked up at him, "Hey Kydar… can I ask you something?"

"Sure," he replied, sitting back down across from her, "What's up?"

"Well… I'm really glad you've been teaching me… and I feel like I'm learning a lot but…" she stopped, searching for the words ad gave a sigh, "Will this… I mean, will I be able to…"

Her voice trailed off as words failed her and she felt a lump rising in her throat. Kydar remained silent, merely watching the younger mage as she tried to speak again.

"We… failed them," she managed, "All of them at Gandara… we were the officers, the commanders… and we led them blindly to slaughter!"

The first tear fell before she could catch it, and the girl immediately pulled the parchment away to keep it from getting wet. She rubbed the ragged sleeve of her robes across her eyes as she fought back a rising sob.

"There are a lot of widows in Istan now, and children who will never know their fathers… because of us!" she exclaimed, "Because we failed them all!"

As she dissolved into tears Kydar reached forward and gently took her hand. Still he did not speak, allowing her to release her suppressed emotions.

"And now…" she sniffed, "Now Rakiv wants me to… to take teams out on missions… dangerous ones. And… and I don't know if I can do it! If it was just me it wouldn't be so bad but…if they die… if these men die and it's under my command… it's my fault! It's all my…"

The sobs cut her off, preventing words from rising as Kydar gave her hand a gentle squeeze. For several moments the girl cried softly, and finally the older elementalist spoke.

"It's not your fault Ani," he whispered to her, "It's not your fault those men died… it was Varesh. If it hadn't been for what she did… what she's done, those men would never have had to leave home."

"But…" she began brokenly.

"I'm not a commander," he said, patting her hand lightly, "I don't know what it's like to feel that burden or responsibility. But I do know that these men chose to come here, knowing what the dangers were. They came to fight for everything they love, to protect what they hold dear. They came believing that their courage, their strength and their sacrifice would secure peace for their children."

The girl continued to sniffle, wiping at her face with the dirty rags of her sleeve.

"And it's because of that belief that we have to keep fighting," Kydar urged, leaning forward towards her, "We have to keep fighting for what they tried to protect... what they died to protect. We have to carry on, and accomplish what they fought for. If we don't, then it's all for nothing. If we give up, if we're too afraid of the battles to come… if we don't carry on, then we have truly failed them."

At this Anicara looked up, her blue eyes wide with revelation. He was right. Even if they could have prevented the deaths of these men, as commanders and comrades they still had a responsibility to the fallen. They had to achieve what the others had died for, and it was this understanding that quelled the tears the poured from within her.

"So…" she began, rubbing at her eyes, "So… we keep fighting?"

"We keep fighting," he smiled back to her, "Until we end this."

The younger mage slowly nodded, sniffling lightly as she dried her cheeks. She flushed deeply with embarrassment. Here she was, an officer of Dormant Vengeance in charge of men and women twice her own age, and yet she couldn't stop blubbering like a little girl.

"I don't…" she managed, once her voice was steady enough, "I don't get you Kydar… How can you be a scholar, and still deal with all this so easily?"

"Oh I was just like you once," the scribe nodded with a chuckle and a small sigh, "We all have our ways of dealing with death… it's never easy, it just takes some of us longer than others…"

"Is… is there a story behind that?" she asked hesitantly.

"Yeah," Kydar confirmed, "But it's sort of a long one."

"Tell me sometime…?" she requested.

"Sure," he smiled back, "But for now we'd best get moving. Sounds like the jocks are on their way in for morning training."

"Okay…" she nodded, rising from her rock and rubbing her face one more time, "Thanks for listening to me… Master Raelesin," she giggled slightly.

"Don't worry about it kiddo," he grinned, "What are friends for?"

The older elemenetalist paused as he stepped back and looked her over, wrinkling his nose with distaste.

"And those robes are all but useless now aren't they?" he asked, chuckling good naturedly.

"They've kind of taken a beating," she blushed slightly, and then gave a small laugh, "Though your vest does make a good skirt."

"I bet it does," he laughed as well and waved a hand to shoo her along, "You should head out to the Command Post. Go see Ahamid. He should have a little something for you."

"What did you do…?" the girl narrowed her eyes at her mentor.

"Just go and pick it up," he grinned, "I'mma go shower off in the falls."

"Mmm… it better not be anything to expensive," she grumbled at him.

To this Kydar gave no answer, merely retrieving his tunic from a weapons rack, tossing it over his shoulder and strolling towards the cave exit.

"Master Raelesin?" she called after him, her suspicion immediately growing, "Master Raelesin!?" she shouted.

But the elementalist paid her no heed, striking up a tune to whistle as he left the drill camp behind him. The Sanctuary had come alive with the regular morning hustle and bustle, as craftsmen and women filled the cavern. The myriad scents of breakfast drifted to him from the mess hall and Kydar made a mental note to stop by when he'd finished cleaning up. The scribe continued to whistle as he made his way through the main Sanctuary, heading through the tunnels that led to their private campsite. Just north of them, the crystal waters that fed their shrine spring fell in a beautiful waterfall into the deep subterranean pools that cycled water all through out the Sanctuary. There were a number of these falls amongst the caves, but this one had been claimed specifically by Rakiv's crew. Kydar made his way across rock and boulders, climbing up the steep tunnel that led to the waterfall. At the edge of the pool, the scribe looked down into crystal clear depths that descended deeper than light could penetrate. The sunbeams that shone from the open roof above played over the rock walls in the depths of the pool, moving and dancing like a rich, multicolored tapestry. Kydar laid his tunic across a nearby boulder and prepared to leap in until he realized he was not alone.

Near the center of the pool, directly beneath the falls, a large and ancient pillar jutted up out of the waters. It was one of the many structures in the caves that did not match the architecture of the water shrines, though Kydar had paid little attention to them. The pillar had been beaten down over years of constant pounding from the waterfall. All that remained now was a flat, smooth platform that stood about a foot above the pool's surface. It was atop this platform that the red-haired huntress sat in silence. The foamy water crashed over her body, pressing down her hair over her shoulders and flowing over her body. The ranger wore nothing more than tightly bound hide strips, wrapped across her chest and hips. Violet eyes were serenely closed and she sat perfectly erect, palms pressed together and held outward in front of her chest.

"Rakiv?" he called out to her.

The woman did not move, nor made any other indication that she was at all aware of his presence. The scribe frowned and gave a sigh as he made his way across the edge of the pool until he reached the collection of fallen rocks that served as the pathway to her platform. Stepping gingerly across the rocky walkway, the elementalist reached out a hand and parted the waters above the ranger's head, leaving it to fall on either side of her like a transparent curtain. Rakiv's eyes opened and she tilted her head back to look up at Kydar in surprise.

"You never struck me for the 'inner peace' type," he chuckled down to her.

"I'm not," she admitted, wiping a hand over her face and throwing back her hair, "Just… trying to remember some of my training."

"What part?" he questioned, arching an eyebrow at her.

"I've been realizing that I got too used to fighting natural enemies, too used to relying on instinct and accuracy," she said thoughtfully, "I need… more. And I was trained to do more, but I haven't used those skills in a long time."

The ranger gave a small chuckle and looked up at him, giving him an invinting wave of her hand.

"You could probably benefit from this too actually," she added.

"Meditating under a pounding waterfall?" he asked with a disbelieving chuckle, "Not really my thing."

"Just sit down," she shook her head as she scooted forward towards the edge of her platform, "Your back against mine."

The scribe stared her skeptically for a moment, before giving a relenting sigh and doing as she requested. He grunted as he knelt down and turned to sit in a position similar to her own, crossing his legs and pressing his back to hers. Rakiv closed her eyes as the water poured over them, taking a deep breath as she laid her palms on her knees.

"While I was at the temple," she said, her voice echoing in the cavern, "Eidolon would teach me things whenever he was around. The masters were always filling our heads with stuff about gods and how to access their powers. Eidolon took a slightly different approach to things I guess. He was a ritualist, so he was always pretty in tune with the spirit world and he tried to teach me to be the same way. Rangers are supposed to have a link to the world anyway… but Eidolon taught me that there was power in the world that you didn't need gods or avatars to use."

Kydar did not respond. It was an odd thing to say, an even odder thing to teach. He had heard of such tales of Canthan philosophy, as the culture believed quite heavily in the vigilance and protection of their ancestors. But even still… most people ascribed to the all encompassing power of the great pantheon. However he was interested in the ranger's point of view, and so chose to quietly listen as she continued.

"Spirits have a power of their own, and if you know how to ask the right way, they can do all kinds of things for you," Rakiv said, shifting as she leaned back against him, "I experimented with that kind of stuff, and pretty soon figured out that some spirits could do the same things that the dervish prayers we learned could do. I never went too far with it… it felt kind of wrong at the time."

"But you're trying that now?" he asked behind her.

"Yeah…" she said slowly, "If ritualists do it all the time… I figure I should be able to do it too. I've heard of some rangers who rely pretty heavily on the spirit world… so I'm just trying to reconnect to that old training. The demons we're fighting aren't natural… It felt like some of them shrugged off my attacks, like I was throwing twigs at them. I'm gonna need more if I'm gonna fight these things… I think we all will."

"Mmm… good point," Kydar murmured, as she voiced the very concerns he had held for several days, "So how does this work exactly?"

"Well I don't really know about you… but since you use the elements I figure we're at least close to the same page here," she chuckled, relaxing more beneath the waterfall, "But when I do it… I start by considering my place in the world… how I fit into the Cycle of life. How I connect to the earth, how I'm kept alive by water. I think about the air I breathe and the fire that warms me. I consider the seasons, and how each of them move in the Cycle…"

She paused for a moment of silence, taking in slow, regulated breaths. Kydar followed her example, letting his thoughts drift as she directed them, feeling a soft sense of calm flow over him. The pounding of the water aided their efforts, the myriad noise of sight and sensation washed away by the falls and focusing their thoughts.

"Eidolon used to say, 'From earth am I born, by water I am sustained. By air I may breathe, and by fire my strength is maintained,'" she remembered aloud, "There are spirits all around us… spirits of the seasons, spirits of the earth. Spirits of sky, of heaven, of the woods and of the wild. It's one thing to feel these forces, and it is another to command them. But to be at peace and live in harmony with them… is something else entirely."

Both released a deep breath in unison, as they deepened their connection to the world around them. For Rakiv it was akin to returning to a familiar place, like a house in which she used to live where she could hear the voices of old friends all around her. Kydar's experience was entirely new for him. He had always been the master of his element, but now he was suddenly aware of those who had held sway over flames long before he was born. Warmth washed through him as he responded to the presence of spirits of heat and summer. But soon new and conflicting sensations rolled into him. He could feel the other elements, the very presence and source of the seasons themselves. A cycle of warmth and cold ran through his veins, and as he responded with a push of his own energy a surge of power awoke within him. Kydar gasped, opening his eyes as he recognized the feeling, an attunement but one like he'd never felt before. It was as if he was suddenly in tune with all the elements at once, each of them granting him more power than ever before.

Rakiv slowly opened her eyes as well, her slowed breathing returning to normal as she looked out across the pool in front of her. Cool water ran over her front, a stark contrast with the warmth against her back. The scribe behind her sat tall and firm, and it was only then that she realized she had come to rest completely against him. The beat of his heart seemed to be in sync with the pumping rhythm of the falling water. She had reawakened old habits, and as she had hoped she'd managed to tap a source that did not force her to connect with the gods. Maybe now she could do some real damage to these demons they were facing. The ranger closed her eyes again and breathed out calmly. She was… comfortable… a rare thing to encounter during the last few years. It was a calm moment, serene and tranquil. She might even call it…

"Ohmigawdsthankyousomuuuuch!" a high pitched squeal shattered their concentration.

Kydar looked up to find the other four members of their group standing on the rocks at the edge of the pool.

"Wow, you two look great!" Tahlkora smiled brightly.

"Don't we? That Ahamid guy has great taste!" Anicara squealed.

The young water mage had finally replaced her torn and tattered robes with an entirely new set. Her new robes were much brighter in color, but managed to be even more revealing than what she had worn before. The essentials of the armor was made of plain cloth, embroidered with various glyphs of protection to make it serve as actual armor. Thick bands of polished brass coiled around her neck, creating a high collar that rose from her shoulders up to her chin. Similar bangles were bound around her biceps and calves, from which billowy sleeves of Damask silk connected to slender bracelets at her wrists and ankles. A brass tasset hung almost dangerously low on her hips, and long embroidered reams of Damask silk hung from her tasset like a segmented skirt. The silk sheaves had been cut to resemble wing designs, and the sheer material bore numerous protection glyphs to allay its flimsy nature. Anicara twirled, bangles jingling across her body and she brushed back her hair to show off the matching earrings that hung from either side of her head.

"You know, when I gave the materials to him," Kydar sighed to his pupil, "I thought he was going to make you a coat… you know, something practical that won't just tear the next time we go rock climbing."

"Hey, hey," she protested while grinning ear to ear, "It's sturdier than it looks."

"It better be," the scribe grumbled in response, "I will not be happy with Ahamid if all that is useless by the end of the week."

"Check out Anorah too!" Alendra called gleefully, "I think the new top is totally rockin'!"

The dervish hesitantly stepped forward, giving a small respectful nod to the two in the waterfall. She too had procured new armor, though had opted to change only her top and headgear. The hood she now wore was deeper, leaving more of her face in its shadow. Her new corset was more revealing as well, and the Acolyte appeared to be somewhat uncomfortable with this fact. Its bottom hem rode several inches above her navel, and much of her back was left bare as well. The neckline plunged low between two straps that bound behind the back of her neck, and the corset's front fastners did not rise high enough to cover the skin it exposed. Anorah fidgeted uncomfortably, and was inwardly quite glad that the shadows of her hood hid the color that had risen to her cheeks.

"You're right," Rakiv agreed with a slow nod, "It does look good."

"I'm liking these Sunspear Elite designs," Anicara grinned happily as she leaned forward, "Thank you Master Raelesin."

"Yeah, yeah," Kydar chuckled, waving a hand at her to shoo her on her way, "Don't you have a mission you're supposed to be on?"

The girl opened her mouth to give an answer, but was immediately cut off by an urgent call from the tunnel behind them.

"Guildmistress!" the shout came, "Guildmistress!"

The rapid patter of running feet approached and an out of breath messenger girl stumbled into the cave, panting for breath.

"Easy girlie," Rakiv said, rising from where she sat, "Take your time."

The girl nodded to the ranger, sucking in air for a few moments before standing erect again to deliver her message.

"A runner got to Ronjok with a message from C'mmander Koss!" the girl announced, "He said he needs help!"

"Help?" Rakiv blinked, "Help with what?"

"Message didn't say," the girl nodded, "Missus Melonni has the letter. All she told me was to find you, and to tell you Mistah Koss said he found a way ta get the wounded Sunspears back ta Istan!"

Rakiv's eyes widened. Finally some luck had come their way. Many of the men in the infirmiry continued to suffer, and the severity of their wounds was beyond the aid of the meager field medicine the healers had continuously applied. They were in desperate need of the physicians in Kamadan, but until now there had been no way to find them the medical attention they needed.

"My team's on this," Rakiv ordered immediately, "Anicara you're reassigned to my detail. Tell Dunkoro that Melonni is replacing you to retrieve those civilians. All of you, report to the main hall in five minutes. You there, uhm… Kaileena right?"

"Yes ma'am," the girl smiled brightly, obviously pleased that the guildmistress knew her name.

"Get this letter from Melonni and bring it to me in the main hall," Rakiv commanded before looking up at her assembled crew, "This is big, people! We need this! Get moving, now!"

"Yes, Guildmistress!" they all cried in unison and scrambled to do as ordered.

"Thanks for the meditation session," Kydar chuckled as he grabbed his tunic and headed down the hall, "It was… enlightening."

"Yeah, anytime," the ranger nodded to him as he retreated from the waterfall cave.

As the others left Rakiv stood deep in thought, her mind turning to deep introspection. A stream of bubbles ascended to the surface and a moment later Butter poked his head up out of the water. The ranger looked down at him, fixing the crocodile with a curious stare. Butter hissed at her and splashed the water with his tail, his reptilian gaze bearing a hint of reproach to it.

"I know buddy," she sighed to him, turning away from the waterfall, "I know."

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As the young messenger girl had said, Koss' letter did not offer many details. The only clear information was that he had found someone who could arrange passage back to Istan. His location was given as Camp Hojanu, and that he needed back-up immediately. Armed with this information, Rakiv and her crew headed for their resident Xunlai agent who was more than happy to transport them to wherever they wished to go.

Beyond the fertile holdings of the once proud Dejarin Estate, lay the lawless eastern wilds of the Barbarous Shore. The shore had long been contested ground for the Warmarshals of Kourna. Here the old Elon ran the course it had carved through rock and earth for thousands of years, breaking free of the land to the open ocean. Corsair ships had long used the area as a port of call when the seas were harsh and the storms grew violent. Without a proper garrison or an established military presence in the area, Kourna's lawmakers had often in engaged in petty wars with the corsair commanders who laid claim to the shore. Though ground was often gained and lost by both sides, Warmarshal after Warmarshal had failed to remove the corsair presence from the river's shores.

At the edge of these lands sat Camp Hojanu. Established as a trading post for smugglers and thieves, the Camp was the last outpost in the eastern reaches of Kourna. Despite being well known as a center of blackmarket dealings, the Kournan government had allowed it to exist for two reasons. The first was that it served as a checkpoint, at which Kournan military could enforce a boundary and keep undesirables from infiltrating too deep into Kournan territory. The second was that the outpost facilitated the government's own under-the-table dealings, and provided them with a number of goods and services not readily available through more official channels. As a blackmarket center the Camp did very profitable trade with those brave enough to deal with pirates. A person could find anything they wanted in Camp Hojanu… for the right price of course.

The Sunspears' arrival through the Xunlai portal drew a surprised squeak from the attending agent, who immediately recognized their armor and insignia. It was Kydar who quickly quieted the woman, buying her feigned ignorance for a handful of platinums.

"Welcome to Camp Hojanu Tradesman Raelesin," the agent smiled as she pocketed the bribe, "How can the Xunlai Guild help you today?"

"You guys go on ahead," Kydar waved to the party, "I'm gonna see if I can book our return trip with her."

"Try to keep the costs down," Rakiv sighed, striding away, "We're not made of money you know."

The group of five made their way further into the camp, avoiding the many gatherings shady characters gathered around the camp's numerous firepits. A large pile of wood sat near the camp's center, ready to be lit as a bonfire to light the camp at night. The only structures to be seen in the outpost were flimsy looking tents that had been set up against the rock face at the camp's northern end. It was among these tents that they found Commander Koss Dejarin. Much like Anicara and Anorah, the Commander had made some upgrades to his equipments as well. His new Sunspear Elite armor still gleamed with the polish that the guild's armor crafters had applied to his heavy platemail. In place of his old Tribal Shield, the Sunspear warrior now carried a large golden Shield of the Lion slung across his back. Though his trusty machete was strapped across his shoulder blades in its own small sheath, a heavier Wingblade Sword now hung at his belt.

"Woow…" Tahlkora commented, looking the burly warrior over from head to toe, "You look… impressive!"

"I can see you're well prepared Commander," Rakiv chuckled, looking over his heavy equipment.

"At least I'm trying to be. Maybe it'll get Melonni off my back," the warrior chuckled as he turned to face them, "Thank you for coming so quickly Guildmistress. Though I only hope it was quick enough."

"Gimme a full report Commander," Rakiv said as she strode towards the nearest campfire and took a seat on a log.

"Well, before my divison was captured," Koss began, grunting as he sat down next to the ranger, "I actually made it out here and got a message out to an old friend of mine. She's got a few ships that run these waters, so I figured we could use her help. The day before we got picked up by a Kournan patrol, I got word back from her that she'd be headin' into port here in about two weeks. That was almost three weeks ago."

"Is she still here?" Rakiv asked anxiously.

"She is, luckily," Koss nodded, "And it's even luckier that I got here when I did. Things just took a turn for the worse around here."

"What happened?" Alendra blinked curiously.

"Well, my contact and her crew were taken captive," Koss sighed, "A local commandant… Commander Wahli I think, is in charge of most of the pirate gangs in the area. He claimed that my friend owed him a debt or something, and put her in a brig somewhere. She managed to get a message out to a mutal friend of ours, and he came to the Camp looking for me right as I got here."

"So to save ourselves, we have to save your contact," Rakiv surmised.

"Well, I woulda done it myself if it were that easy," Koss chuckled, and scratched at his afro, "You know me, I'm not afraid to burst into a pirate den and start swinging."

"Thank goodness you didn't," Tahlkora huffed somewhat worriedly.

"Yer tellin' me little lady," he nodded more solemnly, "I didn't get ten yards into Freeman's Cove before a whole gang of people started screaming and shouting their heads off. A few gangs showed up and suddenly started callin' me a demon and screaming about killing me. I put up a good fight, but these folks meant business. I made a break for it and they chased me as far as the Foothills before finally giving up."

"So you only called us because you couldn't do it yourself?" Alendra laughed and shook her head, "Commander, Kormir would have had your shield for that!"

"But I'm sure the Guildmistress understands," Koss chuckled sheepishly.

"I dunno," Rakiv responded with an arched eyebrow, "That is a nice shield you've got there."

The warrior balked for a moment, and then grinned as he understood the ranger's joke. Koss laughed heartily and gave a shrug to them as he looked at the members of the party.

"Well anyway, I've got a man on the inside right now," Koss continued, "He's supposed to find out where our contact is being held and then meet us in the Foothills with the information. All we gotta do then is bust in there and kick some ass."

"Sounds good to me," Rakiv said, folding her arms over her chest, "I've been waiting for a round two with the corsairs."

"Alright…" Kydar said, striding up to them as he looked over the receipt he'd received from the Xunlai agent, "I got us a booking back, took some doing to figure out how to have her send us to a place I couldn't even give her directions to, but we should land somewhere in the general area at least," he chuckled.

"Good," Rakiv nodded, pushing herself up from her seat, "Alendra, brief the scribe. The rest of you, gear up and move out. I wanna get our target out of danger as soon as possible."

"Yes, Guildmistress," all present replied.

"So what'd I miss?" Kydar asked, turning to the paragon.

"Well, ya see…" Alendra began.

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The Barbarous Shore was an untamed wilderness, widely known as one of the most brutal and unforgiving regions in all of Kourna. Here only the strong survived, and these survivor's strength was tested daily. The Heket tribes to the north were ever resentful of those who impeded the expansion of their territory, and when they weren't fighting amongst themselves they engaged in bloody tribal wars with the corsairs. The corsairs for their part refused to surrender their ports to anyone, and resisted the Heket's with the same ferocity that had driven back the Kournan army. Both of these vicious forces were constantly waylaid by the mighty elementals who stalked the highlands and zealously guarded the earth that they considered sacred. While attempting to avoid the living landmasses that often attacked from the very ground beneath one's feet, travelers and adventurers had to be wary of the local plantlife that did not take kindly to the intrusions of strangers.

The Sunspears strode forth fearlessly into these wilds, following the red haired guildmistress across the rocky plains. Rakiv couldn't help but smile as she breathed in the air and strode the dusty fields. This was her element, the raw and unbridled forces of man and nature in a no-holds-barred battle to the death. Butter too seemed rather pleased with their surroundings. The crocodile rather hoped he would be allowed to do some hunting while they were here, it had been some time since he'd killed his own meat. A few failed attacks by the Heket soon taught the frogmen to steer clear of the foreign smelling band of humans that tread their territories. This did not make the Heket back off entirely, and frogman scouts trailed the party until they finally left the tribal lands and made their way into the southern foothills. Here Koss took point and led the party through the rocky passes down towards the Bahnelon River. The name given to the river labeled it as a branch of the Elon, which emerged out of the underground passages of Bahdok Caverns to the north. The Bahnelon was the oldest branch of the Elon river in all of Kourna, and its placid surface hid the strong currents that ran through the deep river bed. It was here, at the banks of the river that Koss stopped, one hand falling to the hilt of his sword as his good eye surveyed the immediate area.

"Well Sevad?" the warrior called, "Show yourself."

There was no reply to his demand, and for a long moment the only sound in the air was that of the calm moving waters of the river. Finally a figure emerged from behind the rocks, a man dressed in typical corsair rags and a white turban that wrapped around his head and shoulders.

"Hello Koss," he replied evenly.

"I'm back with the help I needed," the Sunspear warrior nodded to the other man, "What did you learn?"

"I learned a lotta things, actually," the corsair said, the smoothness of his voice immediately arousing Rakiv's suspicion, "Lotsa strange things about the Cove, and where that little wench is being held too. I also hear that Commander Wahli's ain't been too kind to her neither."

"Stop playing games Sevad," Koss snorted, "Just tell us where to start looking."

"Well ya see…" the man said, almost as if Koss hadn't spoken at all, "I got to thinkin' and realized… there's nothin' really in this fer me ya know? I wasn't gonna come back here at all t'day… but then I heard who these friends of yers are."

As if on cue the grasses along the bank rustled and immediately the ground burst forth. Thatch ambush hatches opened up in the ground and an entire crew of well armed pirates sprang up, brandishing their weapons and grinning menacingly.

"See, yer the ones the Warmarshal is after," Sevad smirked greedily, "The ones with the pretty price on yer heads. We bring a few of you in alive, and we're rollin' in silvers fer a few months. Ain't that right Cap'n Mehdi?"

"You lot wanna come along quiet like?" the captain growled as he strode forward, raising a rather oversized scythe over his head, "Or we gonna do this the ole' fashioned way?"

The pirates laughed darkly and jeered at the Sunspears as they approached. The corsair party outnumbered the Sunspears, at least two to one odds. Having faced worse during their Kournan adventures, the Sunspear party formed up immediately and prepared to take on this latest group of foes.

"I don't have time for this," Rakiv snarled and pushed her way forward.

Mehdi grinned as the short ranger strode rapidly towards him without even bothering to draw her weapons. With a grunt of effort due to the weight of his scythe, the pirate captain brandished the weapon and swung at the woman. Rakiv's attack was eye-defyingly swift. Gloved hands caught the pirate captain's forearms, stopping his scythe in mid-swing. In the same movement she hopped into the air, directing all of her weight and force into the heel of her boot which she rammed into the pirate's kneecap. With a sickening snap the limb bent in on itself, and Mehdi released a high pitched scream of agony. His anguish was immediately compounded as the ranger twisted his scythe to force his arms to extend and slammed the butt of her palm into his elbow joint. The second snap redoubled his scream and as the maimed man fell the ranger ripped the scythe from his grasp. A strike from the butt of the weapon to the pirate's face knocked him to the ground where she held him down with the heel of her boot pressed to his throat. Her torso pivoted as she lashed out with the scythe, swinging the full length of the pole arm to hook the curved blade behind the neck of Ruthless Sevad. The blade quivered behind Sevad's head, and the greedy pirate stood wide-eyed with surprise. With a small ruffle the turban fell from his head and fluttered to the ground in two pieces, the cloth cloven from where Rakiv had sliced it from his neck.

"D-Don't just stand there you codswabble!" Sevad shouted, his voice cracking with fear, "S-Somebody shoot her!"

"If anyone so much as moves, I will kill you," she growled threateningly, "Then I will kill him," she ground her heel against Mehdi's throat, drawing a choked gurgle from the pirate as she raised her gaze to the pirate crew, "And then I will kill each and every one of you."

The feral wrath in the ranger's eyes was undeniable, and after seeing how swiftly she had broken their captain, none of the brigands were eager to test her. Satisfied that the pirates had been sufficiently intimidated, Rakiv turned her attention back to Sevad and began to draw him to her with the scythe.

"Now," she said, violet eyes boring into the pirate's dark ones, "Since you've broken your agreement with the Commander, you and I will be making a deal of our own."

With expert skill the ranger suddenly spun the scythe and removed the blade from his neck. Sevad had little time to breathe easy, as he immediately found the scythe's edge in an even less desirable position. Rakiv snarled darkly as she slid the scythe blade between the pirate's legs and pulled up on the snathe, forcing Sevad to stand on his toes to avoid the extremely sharp edge. The pirate whimpered as he felt the cold steel slice neatly through the material of his trousers. Sweat rolled down his brow as the blade now threatened that which he considered a far more important body-part than his neck.

"I will make you absolutely no promises," she growled up to him, "You in turn will tell me everything you know, and pray to whatever gods you please that I'm feeling merciful when you're done. Deal?"

Sevad could only nod rapidly, already praying fervently to Lyssa and Melandru that the goddesses would forgive him his past misdeeds and protect his fertility.

"Then start talking. Fast," she demanded.

"The woman yer looking fer is south of the village!" he blabbered rapidly, "I ain't sure which ship but she's near the docks! Cap'n Wahli's keepin' her an' her crew in the brigs!"

"Why's he holding her?" Rakiv snarled at him.

"He-he was told to! Something about her being a demon!" Sevad whimpered, before breaking down into outright blubbering, "Look I don' really know what's goin' on! The whole port's gone crazy, everyone talkin' about demons and waking nightmares. Some of the ships haven't left all season! Everyone's terrified to leave the port for anything! Th-they say if they do then… then the Nightmare Man will get them!"

"Nightmare Man?" Rakiv's eyes narrowed, "Who's that?"

"I don't know!!" he shouted, "Gods, I don't know! All I know is that there's one man Wahli listens to, cause he's been keeping the village safe. Guy by the name of Morolah, Mid-shipman Morolah. He's some kind of cultist or somethin', and has been telling Wahli what to do. Wahli's been jailing anyone that Morolah says to, something about them being demons!"

"What kind of demons?" she asked, "Did you see any?"

"I-I don't know…" he panted, and then squeeked in panic as Rakiv raised the blade higher, "No! No I didn't see any! They're all crazy! I swear to gods I don't know what they're talking about!"

The ranger narrowed her with dissatisfaction, but the man's voice bore the ring of truth. There was no more information to be had from this one.

"Commander Koss," Rakiv spoke without taking her eyes from Sevad, "Is this man of any particular use to you?"

"He's a dirty, greedy, backstabbing cheat," Koss snorted disdainfully, "But he's good for information when properly threatened."

"Then you get to keep your life Sevad," she said to the man, removing her blade from him.

The pirate gave a sigh of relief, reaching down to ensure she had done no damage. His intake of breath was cut short when Rakiv rammed the butt of the scythe into his chest, knocking the air from his lungs. Sevad crumpled to the ground with a wordless groan, clutching at his chest as he tried to fill his emptied lungs.

"Be smarter with it in the future," the ranger advised.

With a careless toss she dropped the heavy scythe into Captain Mehdi. The corsair responded with choking, coughing and pained moans once she finally removed her boot from his throat.

"The rest of you, get out of here," she grumbled, turning away from the corsairs.

The pirates were quick to follow her command, and scattered as quickly as they could leaving their captain to fend for himself. Mehdi was forced to crawl after them, screaming and cursing at his cowardly crew as he dragged himself into the underbrush.

"Wahli's ship is the largest vessel in the port," Koss said, drumming his fingers on his sword hilt, "We may need to make him talk if we're gonna find which ship she's on."

"He said…" Anicara spoke up, "He said Morolah was only a Mid-shipsman… that's a low level officer. His captain will be around here somewhere… maybe even a first mate."

"Ani, are you solid for this mission?" Rakiv asked, turning to the water mage.

"Oh, oh please don't worry about me," Anicara nodded, hopping to attention and saluting to Rakiv, "I won't let you down Guildmistress. Calm n' cool, the whole way through."

"Mmkay…" Rakiv nodded, "Then here's how we do this. We head into Freeman's Cove, I don't want any fights until we absolutely have to. We may have to fight our way onto that ship. Careful who you kill, we want those officers alive. Understood?"

"Yes, Guildmistress," the party responded.

"Move out," she ordered.

"This way men," Koss called, "Hup-two-three-four!" he shouted as he lead their march.

As the party fell in to formation, Rakiv grabbed Kydar's arm and held him back for a moment.

"Keep an eye on the kid," Rakiv muttered to him, "I have a really bad feeling about this."

"You n' me both," Kydar replied, "Don't worry. I'll stick close to her."

"Good…" the ranger nodded, "And be careful yourself… I don't like this one bit."

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The town of Freeman's Cove was an off-the-map locale. It offered a beautiful view of the south Kournan shore, where the Bahnelon River flowed out to the Great Sea. Built amidst rocky grottos, spacious caves and sandy river banks, the Cove was a place where the outside world could be forgotten completely. Indeed, most of its inhabitants had forgotten the outside world completely. The rag-tag community of cutthroats and seafaring savages bowed to no man's laws and served only the gods of greed, pleasure and vice. A place filled with raucuous laughter, flagrant debauchery and more alcohol than any man could ever want, Freeman's Cove did its best to live up to its name. It was for this reason that Commander Dejarin was highly perturbed when they entered a village quite unlike what he had previously seen.

"What's going on here…?" the warrior blinked, looking around.

"Wait… where is everyone?" Alendra asked, fingers nervously tightening around her shield handle, "I thought no one left the village?"

"I don't think anyone did…" Rakiv muttered, her hand slipping to the quiver at her hip.

Freeman's Cove was, for all appearances, a ghost town. Doors swung lazily on their hinges, and half filled bottles of booze poured into the streets. The late afternoon light cast an orange glow over the empty town, the slowly fading light only serving to deepen the Sunspear's dis-ease. Not too far off in the distance, the masts of ships could be seen rising towards the sky, their furled sails bound tightly to their yards.

"What makes you say that? I don't see anyone…" Tahlkora said, staying close to the others as they made their way into the town.

"The docks are still full," Rakiv said, "Only place anyone could have gone would be north to the Camp, or south out to sea. There's people here alright… just don't know where."

"There is great evil here…" Anorah quietly stated the obvious.

A rattle from behind a thatch hut caught their attention, and immediately weapons were drawn and brandished. Several split logs of firewood fell from behind the house, before a young man in ragged clothes stumbled into view. He appeared disoriented, reeling on his feet and taking in his surroundings with wide and confused eyes. As soon as he caught sight of the Sunspears however, he gave a gasp and ran as quickly as he was able towards them.

"Get out!" he cried, "Get out while you can!"

"Hold there lad!" Koss barked, "What's going on here!"

"He's come!" the young man panted, stumbling towards them, "He's finally come for us… and none of us will see the light of day again!"

"What are you talking about kid?" Rakiv demanded, her aim following the man's erratic movements.

"His demons hunt us… all around us," the young man groaned incoherently, clutching at his messy hair, "They're in my head! I-in my dreams! He said he'd save us… but he brought them here… he brought these… these things upon us!"

Before anyone could make further inquiry, the young man looked past them and gave a terrified shriek. With surprising speed he bolted away, his bare feet pounding the sand as he made for the nearest house.

"Catch him!" Rakiv shouted, lowering her weapon and leaping forward to pursue.

The young man burst through the door of the hut with the ranger hot on his heels. The rest of the Sunspears gathered in front of the house, watching as the man screamed and scrambled into a corner of the room.

"No!" he shouted, stumbling over something and rolling across the floor, "No close the door! Close the door you'll let him in!!"

"Who!?" Rakiv shouted back, "Let who in?"

"The Nightmare Man!!" he shrieked.

As Rakiv's eyes adjusted to the gloom she felt a cold chill run down her spine. The room was filled with bodies, human bodies that hugged the walls and littered the floor. For a moment the ranger felt sick, until she realized that these people were not dead… they were sleeping. The tell-tale rise and fall of their chests and ribcages told that there was life left in them yet, and that they were all deep in slumber. As the man whimpered and cowered in a corner of the room, Rakiv reached down and rolled one man over. With a heavy thump the sleeping corsair rolled onto his back and Rakiv quickly jumped away. The man's eyes and mouth lay wide open, and an unnatural purple light poured from the orifices. Without hesitation the ranger looked up and reached for the young man across the room with an outstretched gloved hand.

"You have to come with me, now," she commanded urgently.

"No! No he's out there!" he cried, "I don't want to go to sleep! I've been awake for days… for days! They all went to sleep, but not me! No! I won't sleep! I won't dream his dreams! He won't get me!"

"Rakiv, get out of there now!" Kydar called from the door.

"Come with me!" Rakiv shouted to the young man.

But the ragged man could no longer hear her, as he huddled in the corner. Bloodshot eyes stared wide at the floor as he whispered franctically under his breath.

"I will not sleep. I will not sleep. I will not sleep…" he muttered incoherently.

With a grimace of frustration and defeat, Rakiv turned away and quickly exited the hut. The ranger slammed the door behind her, and slowly raised her eyes to her crew. Everyone appeared obviously shaken, the young man's ravings quite unlike anything they had ever seen. All but one of them stared at the hut, and Rakiv blinked at the water mage who stared off in the opposite direction.

"Anicara?" Rakiv asked hesitantly.

"I know who did this," the girl said quietly, turning to look at her guildmistress, "I know who the Nightmare Man is."

"Are you sure…?" Kydar said, turning to face the younger elementalist.

"There aren't many men who command…" Anicara said, taking in a deep breath as she pointed towards the docks, "… a ship with black sails."

All eyes turned to where she pointed. Among the vessels anchored at the docks, only one had its sails furled. Ebony canvas hung from expansive yards above the decks of a large warship that bore the image of a large skeleton on its prow.

"Wait… I know those flags," Koss said, looking up at the ship, "That's Captain Alsin's ship, from Commander Werishakul's Black Sail Flotilla. I thought we got all the Black Sail pirates when they attacked the Keys?"

"Well it looks like we missed one," Rakiv grumbled.

"Morolah… the Nightmare Man… the Tall One," Anicara said, crystal blues focused on the dark sails of the ship, "He's the one that did all this."

"He's an Abaddon cultist?" Alendra asked, casting an uneasy glance back towards the house.

"I don't know…" Anicara admitted, "But I'm willing to bet that that's where they've got Koss' contact."

"Then we move on that ship," Rakiv ordered, "Maybe if we can get Morolah we can stop this madness. Move out!"

"Anicara…" Kydar asked the younger caster, "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

The girl was quiet for a moment, her breathing calm though obviously regulated. She closed her eyes to take in a deep breath, and slowly exhaled as a blue glyph of attunement glowed softly on her abdomen.

"Yes," she answered him finally, "I… I need to do this."

"Then we're right behind you kiddo," Rakiv said, patting the girl on the shoulder, "Move out soldier."

"Yes, Guildmistress," Anicara answered without hesitation.

The party moved out, stalking amongst the eerily quiet houses and huts as quietly as they could. No sounds, not even breathing could be heard from these dwellings. From time to time Alendra bravely peeked into the structures that they passed, bearing witness to the evil that had befallen Freeman's Cove. Not a single man or woman remained awake, everyone had passed out completely. It sent a shudder down the paragon's spine as she followed the group, wondering just how powerful this Nightmare Man really was.

The vessel they approached fairly reeked of evil. Black sails left unfurled fluttered in the light breeze, casting long, ominous shadows in the quickly fading light. The gunwale was crowned with large ivory spikes, that appeared to have been carved from the teeth of some enormous animal. Cannon hatches riddled the bulwark and great oars hung from the ship's hull, laying silent in the water below. The skeleton on the ship's prow appeared to be holding up the bowsprite, and strange green fires burned in its eyes. A deep groan came from the vessel as the moving waters caused it to rock slowly to starboard and then back again to port. It was a most unnerving sound, as though the ship itself was warning them to come no closer. Still the Sunspears approached, crouching to avoid being seen and peeking through the vessel's portholes. As far as they could see the ship was abandoned. Nothing moved below decks and the main deck was completely abandoned. Suddenly Anorah raised her fingers and snapped, calling the Sunspear's attention to her as she pointed through a porthole. The party gathered around the portholes and stared inside.

The room within was an oddly spacious cabin, bereft of crew or cargo. The only illumination inside came from an excessive number of candles that burned on racks and stands all across the room. The floor was covered with the melted wax that had dried in bubbles and ridges, making the floor almost look like diseased flesh. In the center stood a broad altar of black iron, where four large candles burned on its corners. It held up a large basin that might have once been silver, though it had been badly tarnished with age. Tilting their heads they could make out a design on the wall, a curious symbol that appeared to be a crown made out of bones.

"That… looks familiar," Kydar grumbled to himself, "Where have I seen…"

"Oh gods! Look up!" Alendra hissed in shock.

All eyes squinted upward through the dirty porthole, and small gasp of collective shock rose from them. A dark skinned woman hung limply from leather straps affixed to the ceiling. Her thick braids hung towards the floor, and she wore a strangely ornate outfit that was made mostly out of beads and dirty linens. She made no move and she looked to be unconscious, but the steady expansion and contraction of her chest revealed that she was still alive.

"Margrid!" Koss exclaimed, "We have to get her down!"

"Margrid…" Alendra blinked, and then turned to Koss in surprise, "You mean Margrid the Sly? Of the Red Wing Pirates? She's your contact!?"

"Why do you think I didn't mention her name all this time?" the warrior glanced at her.

"To be honest… I thought you didn't know it," Alendra shrugged.

Koss gave an indignant snort and looked back through the window. The woman on the ceiling appeared to be unharmed, though very well fastened to the cabin's roof. Looking back down at the altar beneath her Koss made the connection very quickly. She was meant to be some kind of sacrifice.

"We have to get in there and…" he began.

"Shh!" Rakiv hissed, "Get down!"

The guild members all ducked at Rakiv's command, just as the door to the room opened. Three men strode in through the doorway, and their boots crunched against the wax as they surrounded the altar.

"This goes from bad t' worse Wahli," one man, who carried a staff shaped oddly like a lightning bolt, said, "Jedasros will not be pleased. Nor will the master once he 'wakes."

"I 'eld up mah end o' the bargin!" the one identified as Wahli snapped, "I brought in slaves like ye wanted. Let yer men hide out in mah shore when the Warmarshal gots ta huntin' ye. Hell, I even brought the sacrifices yew demanded. Yew ain' gonna pin this, this… plague on me!"

"Yore leadah were supposed ta be 'ere days ago," the third man who carried a shield and spear snapped, "Where's she now aye? Off wanderin' in the desert oi suppose, aye? Don' even know why we joined up wiv this stupid lot."

"You joined us, Shagu," the staff bearing man growled, "Because you want to be on the winning side when this is all said and done."

"Ya well, it looks to me like the Warmarshal is the winnin' side now aye?" Shagu grumbled, "This curse what's taken our men seems like the same stuff she wanted us ta be doin' in Istan. What the 'ell we gonna do wiv out our men aye?"

"We will perform another sacrifice," the staff bearer responded, looking up at the ceiling, "The others' souls were too weak to serve my purpose. They shattered moments after I called them up. But this one… she is strong of will and heart. Once her blood has been offered to the king, I will use her soul to dispel this… interruption."

"Yew better be right Alsin," Wahli warned darkly, "Else I'll have yer head mounted on me prow. Now where's yer man got to?"

"Well…" Alsin said, listening to the tromp of boots coming through the ship, "I believe that is him now."

The heavy stomp of boots sounded down the hall outside, slowing as they approached the door. The Sunspears pressed eagerly around the porthole, straining to hear the conversation inside and see who it was that entered the room. The door swung open and a pirate wearing a long purple coat walked in. So tall was he that he was forced to hunch just to get through the door way, though once he rose to his full height he was an intimidating sight to behold. The purple of his coat almost seemed to shift and glow hypnotically and he wore a dark turban that wrapped around his face to cover his mouth. His eyes were black as a starless night, and even the other pirates seemed disturbed by his gaze.

A cold shiver ran up Anicara's spine as she swallowed hard. Five years later, and the man was every bit as fearsome as she remembered. His very presence was like a walking nightmare, and it seemed as if his dark eyes inflicted fear upon all who dared look at him.

"There you are Morolah," Alsin nodded, leaning heavily on his staff, "Are we ready to begin?"

Morolah did not speak, regarding the pirates before him with an intense glare. As his eyes settled upon Shagu his brow furrowed and his grip tightened on his staff. Shagu's own eyes widened as a terrible revelation dawned upon him and he immediately reached for his spear. To the pirate's dismay, Morolah's attack came before he had a chance to defend himself. The wicked mesmer raised his fist and the purple signet on his finger glowed to life as he blasted Shagu with violet psychic energy. Shagu shrieked as the energies of Morloah's Signet of Clumsiness disrupted his attempted attack and knocked him off his feet, throwing him across the room and into a rack of burning candles.

"Traitor!" Commander Wahli shouted, his sword ringing from its sheath as he charged at the tall man.

Morolah's palm opened as he wordlessly cast his next hex. Wahli gave a grunt as his limbs suddenly became far too heavy and he was almost forced to the floor boards. Still the burly pirate came on, even as Morolah threw two new hexes upon him. The pirate commander brought his sword down against Morolah's staff and the mesmer's hexes went into effect. The dual backlash of a Clumsiness and Empathy hex caused violet light to flare from the commander's mouth and eyes, before he dropped dead to the floor. Morolah turned upon the last of the pirate officers, his own captain Alsin and raised his hand to cast.

"Furious ancestors, unleash thy Channeled Strike!" Alsin shouted first.

A surge of green energy rushed up the captain's staff. Morolah had just enough time to widen his eyes in surprise as the captain loosed a green lightning bolt into his chest. The pirate mesmer was knocked backwards as the lightning bolt smashed him through the door and down the hallway beyond. Alsin hobbled out the door frantically, making a break for the stairs in an effort to flee his mid-shimpman. He'd always known Morolah to be a very powerful caster, but had never though the man would turn on him like this.

"Quick!" Rakiv shouted, "To the deck!"

"Wait!" Tahlkora exclaimed, holding up a hand to stop them, "Do… do you hear that?"

Everyone stopped, listening intently. The monk's ears were sharp and picked up a strange dichotomous thumping. More such sounds joined the first, until the noise was quite unmistakable.

"Oh no…" Rakiv whispered as she whirled around to look back in the direction of the village.

From amongst the houses a mob of crazed corsairs, bandits and brigands came dashing through the Cove as fast as their feet could carry them. Hundreds of eyes glowed with evil purple light as they shouted and howled incoherently. It was quite obvious that these were not the same frightened villagers that Koss had spoken of. These men and women were not running in fear, they were completely and totally enraged. The entire population of Freeman's Cove bore down on them, compelled to kill these Sunspears by their nightmarish Fevered Dreams.

"Everyone on the ship! Now!" the ranger cried, as she dashed for the gangplank.

The mob had reached the wharfs and their combined noise was loud and clear now, like a pack of hounds baying for blood. Koss was the last to thunder up the plank and jumped onto the deck. A volley of flares launched from Kydar's wands as he reduced the gangplank to cinders, cutting off the enraged villagers on the docks. This, however, did not deter the sickened pirates who jumped at the side of the ship and splashed into the water. Several drew knives and swords from their belt and sprang at the vessel, attempting to climb up the wood of its bulwark.

"This is bad…" Tahlkora whimpered, the shouts and swears all around the ship rattling her nerves, "Really, really bad."

"It's getting worse," Alendra cried, "Look!"

The paragon pointed to the ship's stern which sat in the deeper waters of the Bahnelon River. The tall form of Mid-shipman Morolah held the body of Captain Alsin aloft, and the corsair captain's staff clattered to the deck behind him. With a wordless grunt the mesmer threw the captain's body out into the river, and the cadaver's eyes glowed unnaturally as it splashed into the rushing depths. No sooner than than Alsin's body vanished into the currents, the water began to bend in on itself, churning and sinking downward until it formed into a raging whirlpool. Along the horizon the setting sun gave its final flare and sank out of sight, surrendering the sky to the night. As if the fall of darkness had been its cue, bursts of purple lightning snaked up out of the whirlpool, illuminating the docks with a foreboding light. Howling winds whipped up over the river, belling out the black sails above and setting the entire ship rocking and creaking. The center of the whirlpool glowed and the waters spiraled faster and faster, until a black and purple orb slowly began to rise out of its center.

"A torment rift!?" Kydar exclaimed, "He summoned a rift here!?"

"He must die!" Anorah snarled, brandishing her scythe and rushing forward.

For the first time Morolah took notice of them, turning to face the party and casually extending a hand towards the charging dervish. Anorah's charged was stopped as an Imagined Burden weighted her limbs to the ground, though she grit her teeth and struggled against the hex. Deeming the dervish to no longer be a threat, Morolah turned away from her and without hesitation, nimbly skipped off the edge of the stern towards the water below.

"Enemies on deck!" Alendra shouted, raising her shield defensively, "Orders, Guildmistress?"

"They're pirates anyway," Rakiv sighed, "Take 'em down! Defend the deck! Commander Nyrin?"

"Yes, Guildmistress!" Anicara saluted as she shouted to make her voice carry above the screaming winds.

"Feeling good?" the ranger asked.

"Absolutely," Anicara nodded, her eyes clear and focused, "Awaiting your orders Guildmistress."

"Go get that bastard," Rakiv commanded.

The smallest of smiles tugged at Anicara's lips, and she wasted no time as she quickly turned away and sprinted for the foredeck.

"Yes, Guildmistress!" she called back.

The girl's shoes clicked against wood of the ship's deck as she ran for the poop deck. Ahead of her she could look down into the water, and see the escaping Mid-shipman standing in a small rowboat, surfing the currents that drew him towards the whirlpool and the torment rift.

"Mighty glaciers…" she whispered, drawing two fingers and kissing them as she jumped from the ship's stern as well, "Frigid Armor!"

White spirals of frost followed the girl's fall as thick plates of ice formed over her body. As soon as her frozen greaves touched the water, the liquid crystallized into a thick ice floe around her ankles. The mage quickly summoned an ice spear to her frigid grip, and dipped the lance and her staff into the water on either side of her floe. With a hard paddle of both her weapons she pushed herself forward, surfing the spiraling waves on her ice board in pursuit of the fleeing mesmer. Morolah had already reached the whirlpool's edge, and had begun to orbit the torment rift he'd summoned. The mute mesmer raised his hands to perform the final casting ritual, just as his purple glowing eyes caught sight of the blue figure approaching his whirlpool. Swift reflexes allowed him to duck the spear Anicara chucked at him, and he gave an intense glare at the interfering female. The young water mage reached the edge of the spinning water, angling her board to ride the churning waves at the whirlpool's edge. Both casters circled the great black orb, glaring daggers at each other until Anicara drew back the crystal helmet of her armor. Deep blue eyes focused on the man, reveling a burning anger tempered by calm focus. Long practices and discussions with her mentor had prepared her for this, to focus her will in the face of such adversity. This time, she vowed, she would not lose control.

"Do you remember me?" she called above the wind, brown bangs whipping about her face , "You tortured me, endlessly. Haunted my dreams every night. You hounded my thoughts and tormented my sleep!"

Morolah squinted behind the mask of his turban. There was something familiar about this girl… something he couldn't quite place. As he gazed at her it suddenly rushed back to him, a visual flashback of those bright blue eyes. Eyes once wide with terror, eyes that once begged him to leave and let her be. These eyes were now filled with an indomitable calm and a terrible focus. The tall man raised his staff. He had heard what the blue-eyed girl had done to Werishakul, his old commander and captain. That was not a fate he intended to share.

"Will…" she paused, taking a slow breath for what she knew she must offer, "Will you stop the rift? And release the villagers?"

Morolah only glared at her wickedly, and suddenly thrust a hand forward with a blast of purple energy. The psychic Overload struck the young mage and she grunted with pain, but remained standing. The mesmer's brow furrowed, he had expected her to suffer more from an attack of that magnitude. Panting lightly from the blow, the girl looked up, a Glyph of Restoration glowing on her forehead.

"I was hoping you'd say that," she grinned.

Conjured frost rolled over her staff, the crystals gleaming in the unnatural light as her water staff was turned into a frozen halbered. In her other hand she brandished an ice spear and angled her board forward, blazing a frothy trail down into the middle of the whirlpool. Anicara braced her knees and with a graceful jump, pirouetted over the gaping center of the waterspout. She splashed into the other side and rocketed upwards, a track of ice propelling her up towards the evil mesmer. Morolah's eyes narrowed as the girl moved to attack, and quickly raised his fist as his signet began to glow.

"Ye corrosive liquids devour the artifacts of my enemies," she chanted swiftly, pointing her halbered at him, "Rust!"

Whipping mist lashed at the mesmer's many rings, and the mid-shipman looked at his fingers, growlimg mutely at his ruined signets. Casting aside the useless jewelry he raised his staff just in time to stop the girl's spear throw with a heavy Power Spike. Anicara cried out as the lance shattered in her grasp and the force of the spell knocked her off balance.

"Ye bubbling waters…" she began, and then shrieked again as a powerful Backfire ripped through her form.

The young mage lost control and spun down the funnel of the whirlpool, quickly drawing close to its gaping center. Strategy spun in her head. From what she'd seen on the ship, Morolah still preferred causing direct damage and pain to his victims if he could. It was doubtful he could interrupt her again… but…

"Ye blustering zephyers of the frozen north," she shouted, "Bind my foe with thy wintery chill! Freezing Gust!"

With an outstretched hand the water mage struck her opponent with a blast of super cooled air, forcing Morolah to duck his head against the punishing winds. Crystals of frost formed over his boat and he grunted with pain as frostbite immediately took hold of what skin he had exposed. The mesmer raised his eyes just in time to see the girl draw close enough to his vessel to strike at him with her halbered. The mesmer raised his staff and blocked the blow, struggling under her attack as the crystalline edge of her weapon gleamed hungrily for his flesh. It was then that he understood her plan. The girl was outlasting him, overpowering him by sheer energy alone. Anicara wasn't about to let up either. Water and frost gathered to the hydromancer's empty hand and her eyes glowed blue as she began to cast again.

"Ye frozen lances of purest crystal…" she shouted.

It dawned on the mesmer that he had only one chance to win this fight. He had to disable her, completely. With a desperate grunt he thrust his palm against the chestplate of her armor and a flash of purple resonated through the mage's body. The spell died on Anicara's lips, replaced by a pained gasp as the incantation drained out of her and into the mesmer's hand. Snarling mutely, Morolah kicked the girl as hard as he could and the force of the blow finally shattered her armor. In a spray of crystalline ice, Anicara fell backwards and tumbled into the waves. Now was his chance, and the wicked mesmer quickly took it, quickly casting the spell he'd just stolen from her. Anicara tumbled down the whirlpool funnel, as surface tension and crashing waves buffeted her about. A particularly strong current caught her legs and suddenly dragged her under. The hydromancer flailed, the natural force of her own element proving superior to her ability to control it. Suddenly the direction of the current changed and in a burst of foam the young mage was expelled from the water, thrown aloft and out over the sucking hole at the maelstrom's center. As she tumbled through the air, her sharp blue eyes caught sight of Morolah… and the spell he had just cast. The mesmer had launched his final blow, a cascade of Ice Spikes to end the blue-eyed girl once and for all. It had been her last spell, the only thing she had energy left for, and now there was nothing else she could cast.

I have faith that you can cast anything you want Ani, you just have to know that you can do it too.

The words of the scribe rang in her mind, and with them came a new resolve. She had not come this far to fail. As the rotation of her fall turned her right side up she inhaled and dug deep into the reservoirs of her energy. The last little spark within her flicked bravely, and she grabbed hold of it as she shouted her incantation.

"Enduring aegis protect me!" she cried desperately, throwing her arms wide, "Ether Prism!"

For a moment, time seemed to slow to a crawl. She was suddenly acutely aware of… everything! She could feel the crackle of the sharp crystals that sought her flesh, the crash and roar of the whirlpool below her, and the flashes of malignant energy that raged within the torment rift. Suddenly another force welled around them, the essence of her own energy that manifested in seven pinpoints of blue light. Each point released an intense beam of power, all seven directed at her body. Just as she was sure she was about to be sliced to ribbons, the laser beams stopped several inches from her body and began to move, drawing glowing geometrical shapes in the air. The beams completed their drawing and suddenly amplified their energy output, pumping power into the ethereal construct around her. With a pulse of brilliant golden light the walls of her prism solidified, forming an impenetrable shell around her body. The flow of time resumed immediately, and the chaos of their battle ensued. Ice Spikes shattered against the walls of her prism, and Morolah's eyes widened in terror at the cage of light the young mage had erected around herself. Surges of energy rolled into her, filling her with new and greater power than ever before. From behind her wall of light, Anicara raised her staff and launched her counter attack.

"Ye raging vortex of ice and snow!" she roared with righteous fury, "Ravage my enemies with thy frozen wrath! Maelstrom!!"

The storm she summoned was immediate and devastating. Super cooled winds brought forth jagged ice floes that tumbled through the churning waters. Hail and sleet spun through the air, beating Mid-shipman Morolah mercilessly with frigid anger. He could feel another cast coming from the blue-eyed one, and knew he could not afford to take another blow like the one she had just delivered. Yet it seemed she had no intention of giving him the chance to counter her, as she pointed a palm towards him and her eyes narrows angrily.

"Relenquish thy mind and thy will to unyielding Depravity!" she swore viciously.

Even as the green light of her curse swarmed at the edges of his vision, the mesmer desperately threw everything he had at her. Each attack was costly, and he could hear the whispers of the madness of her curse consuming his very will. So focused was he that he never saw the jagged chunk of ice that struck his boat. The small wooden vessel ruptured on impact and the mesmer was thrown into the air. No words or sound left his lips as he splashed into the water and was carried with the raging currents, whipping in circles ever faster towards the center of the whirlpool. Above him the brilliant prism of light finally shattered and Anicara fell from within. The silk "wings" of her robe fanned about her as she breathed deeply and spread her palms over the churning water. Without uttering a single word her spell took hold, and with a thunderous snap… the entire whirlpool became a frozen funnel of deep blue ice. Irridescent ribbons of white, gold and blue light surrounded the water mage as she gracefully descended to the center of the funnel. Ornate heels clicked against the ice, and she paused to exhale slowly as she dispelled the conjure on her staff. A grunt behind her caught her attention and she slowly turned to lay eyes upon the visage of her defeated opponent. Morolah lay beaten and bruised, the ice having imprisoned and crushed his legs. His hypnotic coat had been rent by the sharp hail and sleet and even his turban hung in rags over his shoulders. Though agony was etched upon his dark features, no words or sound ever left his lips.

As she looked upon him now, Anicara realized that she felt no fear. Gone was the trepidation that had filled her once before, and the apprehension she had felt when she first saw him had been banished from her mind. Strangely she felt only a deep sense of… pity. The monster before her who had wracked minds and destroyed men and women with his illusions and dreams, now lay helpless on the ice before her. Morolah's fingers scraped against the ice as he pushed his torso upright, glaring hatefully at the young water mage. Her heels clicked against the crystal surface as she strode to him and looked down at the fallen corsair. Behind her she could still hear the sounds of battle from the shore and she slowly raised her eyes to the spiraling torment rift above them.

"You work for Varesh," she concluded and then turned her eyes back down towards him, "But the others did not. Who did your captain serve?" she demanded.

Morolah did not speak and did not bother to open his mouth. Anicara in turn gave a small, wry chuckle as she brushed a chocolate bang from her cheek.

"You never could speak… could you?" she finally realized, "It was only in my dreams that you whispered… only in my nightmares."

The one-time captive of the pirate officer knelt down on the ice, staring into the dark eyes of her tormentor. Morolah returned her gaze with resolute contempt. Five years ago it was she who had cowered before him, he would not give her the satisfaction of seeing their roles reversed. But Anicara did nothing to intimidate him, and with curious care lifted her hands to his face. The pirate struggled against her but she caught hold of his ears and held him firmly in her grasp.

"I will give you… one final chance," she said slowly, "Will you release the villagers, and stop the portal?"

Morolah snorted through his nose, his face a mask of rage. He would do nothing, give this girl nothing she asked. It would not be said that in the end, Mid-shipman Morolah groveled at the feet of a little girl. Seeing his defiance Anicara finally gave a resolute sigh.

"You've dominated my dreams, been the demon in my head for many years," she said to him, her voice calm, even and cool, "I want you to understand me now. I killed Werishakul out of fear, anger and hatred. But I kill you as my duty to my people, and for the good of all Elona."

Morolah grimaced, his breathing picking up as he felt panic rising within him. It was terrible for any man to face death, but he could only imagine what end she had meant for him. It was perhaps the fear on his face that brought a small smile to the girl's face, not of triumph but of pity. With deceptive sweetness, Anicara leaned forward, her azure lips very nearly brushing the man's forehead as she breathed on his skin.

"Now it is your turn," she whispered, "Sleep."

A shiver ran down the pirate's spine, one that redoubled as he felt biting cold emanate from beneath her hands and through his forehead. He tried to think, tried to summon some spell that could stop her, anything to survive this blue-eyed demon. But it was no use, for even as he searched for thought the very nerve centers of his brain began to crystallize. Creeping frost spread across his neurons, and he could only tremble in her grip as the Mind Freeze took hold within his very skull. His mouth opened and a wordless gasp slipped from his lips as he looked up into the gentle blue-eyes of his killer. Anicara watched quietly as Morolah's shivers slowly ceased, but did not release him until she saw the grasping fingers of frost crystallize over his eyes.

Her own blue eyes closed as she released a small sigh of relief, feeling as though a great burden had finally lifted from her shoulders. Raising her head, she looked up at the torment rift above. The swirling black hole shuddered and spouted crackles of purple lightning, until it finally collapsed in on itself and disappeared with a grumble of dark thunder. Picking up her staff, Anicara rose to her feet, giving the dead pirate one parting glance before she turned away and strode up the frozen ripples of the whirlpool's funnel. With a heavy boom, the ice began to break apart, the center falling down and splashing into the water below. As the whirlpool caved in, the running water of the Bahnelon surged through, breaking it up and consuming the ice floes. A surge of froth and a crackle of ice echoed in her ears, as the Nightmare Man vanished beneath the roaring currents of the Bahnelon River.

"Oh thank gods!" Alendra sighed, falling to her knees and dropping her shield in exhaustion, "They've stopped."

On board the black sail ship things had gotten pretty dire. By sheer numbers the enraged villagers had overwhelmed the small party, and they had been forced to take refuge on the poop deck. Fearing that they would be completely overcome, Rakiv had ordered Kydar to summon a meteor to blow the ship to smithereens. Moments after the order was given, the villagers slumped to the deck, the purple light leaving their eyes as they thunked to the floorboards.

"I could destroy the ship anyway," Kydar offered, magic crackling at his fingertips.

Rakiv rolled her eyes and swatted his hands in response.

"Is everyone alright?" the ranger asked, looking around at her crew, "We need to secure the target. Koss, Anorah, Alendra, get below decks and free that Mandid or whatever her name is. Tahlkora, Kydar, salvage what you can off of these no-gooders. We need funds."

"But aren't they still alive…" Tahlkora asked uncomfortably.

"They're thieves and criminals anyway," Kydar patted her shoulder, "Think of it as taking pirate treasure."

"Well… if you put it that way," Tahlkora mumbled, unsure of the scribe's argument.

Rakiv strode away from the others as they set to their tasks, and jumped over the side of the boat, zipping down a rope to the dock below. At the end of the pier, Anicara hopped off the last stable ice floe just as it was carried away by the river's current. The mage looked up as Rakiv approached and the ranger dusted her hands as she looked out over the river.

"Good goin' kiddo," she nodded, "I knew you were the woman for the job."

"Thank you… guildmistress…" Anicara said a little numbly.

"Is he gone?" Rakiv asked, squinting at the river.

"Yes… he washed away in the river," the mage responded.

"No, no…" Rakiv chuckled and turned her head towards the girl, "I mean… is he gone?" she asked, tapping her own temple with a finger.

"Oh," Anicara said, as she paused for thought and then gave a small smile, "Yes… yes I think he is," she nodded slowly.

"Are you okay?" she inquired.

Anicara did not reply for a moment, considering the question more carefully than she ever had before. She brushed back her bangs and adjusted the trio of floating blue jewels at her forehead before she smiled at the ranger.

"No," she answered truthfully, "But I can honestly say that I think I will be… for the first time in a long time."

"Good," Rakiv said, laying a hand on the other girl's shoulder and giving it a light squeeze, "Then how do you feel now?"

"I feel…" Anicara said slowly, raising one hand and slowly studying her palm, "I feel stronger… like something that was blocking me is gone now," she turned her gaze to the ranger and gave a sheepish chuckle, "To be honest… ever since you gave me that assignment… I've been worried that I didn't have what it takes, to go on you know? This is definitely not the place for the faint hearted. But I think… I think I can do it now, and I want to do my duty for the guild, and for Elona. That is… if you still want me," she smiled hopefully.

"You betcha kid," Rakiv smiled broadly, patting the girl's shoulder, "Wouldn't take you off my team for all the gold in Vabbi."

Anicara blushed at the compliment, and then with a bit of a giggle she wrapped her arms around the ranger and gave her a tight hug.

"Thank you Guildmistress," she smiled.

"Sure… anytime Ani," Rakiv chuckled awkwardly as she patted the mage's back, "Though you've been with me long enough to know better than that 'guildmistress' crap," she reprimanded with a laugh.

"Sorry, Raki," Anicara giggled as she pulled away and nodded to her, "Old habits from training ya know."

"Yo Rakiv," Kydar called as he strode up, several items of loot hanging from his person, "You interested in magical bow strings? Cause I found…"

The scribe was cut off when Anicara suddenly tackled into his chest, wrapping her arms around his torso as tightly as she could. Kydar stumbled back a step with a grunt of surprise and looked down at the girl who held onto him.

"Thank you Kydar," she muttered, a soft sniffle betraying her emotions, "For everything…"

"No problem at all Ani," Kydar smiled, rubbing her back with his freehand, "I'd hug you back but I'm carrying a lot of sharp objects here."

"Sorry," she giggled sheepishly, stepping back and wiping her eyes.

"To answer your question," Rakiv chuckled, "It depends on what kind of bowstring. But I'm curious as to what you want with a walking stick shaped like a lightning bolt."

"It's not a bad weapon," Kydar responded, looking at the staff that once belonged to Captain Alsin, "I think I know someone who could use it."

"Guildmistress!" Alendra called from the shore, "We have the criminal…er, I mean, the contact!"

Rakiv laughed lightly as she led the way back to dry land. Koss knelt in the dirt next to the limp figure of the woman who had been strapped to the cabin's ceiling. She was awake now, blinking blearily through the shadows at the figures that surrounded her. Kydar brought up a fireball in his palm to illuminate the night and allow everyone to get a good look at each other.

"My name is Rakiv Maelstrom," Rakiv introduced herself, "Acting Commander of the Sunspear Remnant and Guildmistress of Dormant Vengeance."

"And you say my title is long," Kydar commented under his breath.

"I'm… ungh… my name's Margrid," the woman on the ground grunted, looking up and pushing dirty braids out of her face, "Folks call me the Sly. I'm the captain…" she paused, and swallowed slowly, "And the sole survivor of the Squall Runner."

"Sole survivor?" Koss asked with concern, "What happened to your crew?"

"Bastard's killed 'em…" Margrid wheezed, still heavily under the effects of whatever had been used to pacify her, "They started sacrificing us… saying we brought demons or somethin'. They kept me in the hold… all my mates… dead."

"Well I'm sorry we didn't keep any of the officers alive for you," Rakiv said, scratching the back of her head.

"Heh… no worry," Margrid grinned in the firelight, "Jus' lemme dance on their graves and I'll be jus' fine."

"Well, I guess she won't be our ticket out of here after all," Alendra sighed, sliding her spear into her quiver.

"Nah, nah," Margrid raised a hand, "My crew were an unreliable lot anyway. I sure as hell wouldn't risk fifty plats on 'em."

"Fifty…!" Rakiv spluttered and turned on the Sunspear warrior, "Koss!!"

"I had to tell her something!" Koss grinned hopefully, "I mean, it is an expensive trip."

"For crying out…" Rakiv grumbled, pinching her nosebridge.

"Well seeing as you guys saved my life," Margrid considered, "I guess I could offer up a discount of sorts…."

"We can negotiate the price later," Rakiv grumbled, shaking her head, "Look let's just… get back to the Sanctuary. Can we trust her?"

"I ain't a friend of the Warmarshal, if that's what you mean," Margrid spoke up quickly, "No 'mount of money is worth being her lapdog."

"Fine, you'll come with us for now," Rakiv said, "Everyone pack up and move out."

"Heeere we go," Koss grunted as he lifted Margrid from the ground into his burly arms, "You feel downright sickly Marg, coulda sworn you used to be heavier," he chuckled.

"I'd be a right proper weight if you'd gotten here sooner landlubber," she grumbled, weakly punching his shoulder.

"I uhm, I could try and heal her up so she can walk," Tahlkora offered.

"Thanks young 'un, but I jus' need time to get my strength back," Margrid responded, waving the young monk off as she relaxed in the warrior's grip, "Then I'll outrun ya all."

Tahlkora grimaced slightly but did not press the issue, and trotted to keep up with the group. With weary sighs the party shouldered their scavenged goods and began the long trek north. Behind them they left the town of Freeman's Cove, from which snores of blissful and natural sleep rose to the sky. It had been a deeply unnerving day, and Rakiv remained well aware that the events here foreshadowed deeper and darker intentions on the Warmarshal's behalf. She could only hope she could anticipate Varesh's next assault… before it was too late.