To Belong... (the story of Ithilwen)

[Solaris]

A message from the other side...

Ithilwen came back to her rooms after another long day of work. She had met with sir Aelcar and Jarresh, together with Kaienrai. sir Aelcar asked them to become ambassadors for the Order of Lions, representing Dharasha. They both had accepted and many things needed to be taken care of. It was good she thought, it would keep her mind from wandering off too much, to that dark place, the void inside her. Life had to go on...

A few candle marks later, someone knocked on her door. It was Mendel. She told him to come in and he opened the door, entering the first mage's rooms with his head lowered. Standing close to her, he raised his head and looked at her, as if he was trying to figure her mental state.

"Greetings Ithilwen. I think enough time has passed and it is the right time to offer you my apology for not telling you the truth about what happened with Kael. I hope, in time, you will accept my apology and forgive me, but know that my only intention was to protect you and through that protect Kael. He sacrificed his life for you, that is how much he cared. By no means he would allow any harm done to you and that's what i was trying to do... Get you to safety."

He lowered his head again and waited for a reply from the First Mage.

Ithilwen listened to him, motionless. Her face in a perfect serene and cold expression. After a long silence, on the brink of becoming uncomfortable she started to speak.

''Brother, I appreciate the fact you wished to shield me from the pain at that moment. However, I am no child. The truth must be faced no matter how harmful it can be. Why delay the inevitable...We all...''

She stopped all off a sudden, her eyes widening and the mask slowly slipped from her face. She staggered backwards a few paces but managed to steady herself on the chair where the black robes were hanging. Her breathing increased and with haunted eyes she watched Mendel.

In her mind she heard a faint sending from what seemed to be a long, long distance.
She shook her head and closed her eyes, her lips made movements as if muttering something. Her eyes opened again and she watched Mendel, as soon as he tried to say something she stopped him abruptly.

''Shhhh!...''

She recognized the voice, albeit feeble, as Kael's. The message itself was rather shocking:

"Greetings, my dear.

Excuse my prolonged absence, I have been...tied up with some rather dark, sinister matters for a while...

This is taking a lot of my energy, so I will be brief: I am free, and well. I found the means to end it all, but as absolutely incredible as it sounds, I cannot do it alone. I need your help.

Get Marigold, Grimm and our willing brothers and sisters to the Shadow Plane...Find me in the Tower beyond the forest outside the Shadow City we visited on our first trip there. East Gate out, then the forest...

I will be waiting..."



''This can't be...Tell me it can't be...''

A smile started to appear on her lips, widening and widening, until she laughed. Laughed loud as she had never done before in her entire life.
She walked up to Mendel, her face all radiating of joy. She grasped both his shoulders and told him.

''He made it! It is him! I don't...How...?!?!''

Her expression changed into one of extreme worry then.

''We have to get to him...he...says...we can "end it all"...?!''

Mendel watched Ithilwen wide eyed and surprised."He made it?!?! Made it where... how... "

"Tell me sister, what is it we need to do? How can we get him back?

Ithilwen let go of his shoulders, pondering for a moment.

''He just talked to me via sending... He can't do it alone, he needs our help.''

She watched the ground as she recollected his words

''He is still in the plane of shadows...In a sanctuary, a tower beyond the forest outside a shadow city. The same city where we went the first time...''

She lifted her head and watched Mendel.

''He asks us to come find him there. To bring Marigold, Grimm and all those of our kin that want to join in this fight.... Mendel, I believe he has found a way to deal with the shadow entity for once and for all!''

She hesitated before uttering the following words.

''Would you be willing to go back there? Are you willing to take the risk? I understand if you can not. I will go however, I must go...''

[Solaris]

To make sure...

Ithilwen sat in her chambers alone once more. She had talked with Mendel about who to bring, what to bring and how to do it. Travel to the Shadow Plane once more...a dangerous plan, and yet the only one they had. One thing kept surfacing in her mind however... Despite the will to push it to the background.

She did want to believe it, with all her heart, but how could she be sure this sending actually came from Kael? Still alive, hidden in that sanctuary of his, in a darkness-engulfed plane... How small a chance would that be? She turned towards the urn with his ashes...or was it? She did not know what to believe. Inside her, emotions shifted from pure joy to extreme worry. Was she not leading her people in yet another trap, after all?

''Stop thinking about the problem, but try to find the solution!'' She sighed, then closed her eyes. Touching her gift, she gathered enough energy for her words to be carried by the weave, much more that she normally needed for a similar one across the material plane.

''Kael, I hear your words. I thought you were dead, beyond my reach. Yet, I hear your voice once more. How do I know this is truly you, and not another mind-trick of that creature? Tell me something that can convince me. Tell me something, only you and I know...''

She took a deep breath, exhausted after the huge drain of energy the sending took, and opened her eyes, staring back at the urn. What was true? Was he there? Or was he here...dead...in this room with her? She lifted herself up with great effort and walked over to her desk, falling on her chair. A hint of tension went through her... Now the waiting had started...She would soon see if he could reach her yet again...

Almost a day after her Sending, a faint reply reached her. It was like a fading echo of an echo, a whisper from another world...and yet, listening closely, a sardonic note could be heard in the replying voice...a sort of bitter amusement:

"Not dead, no...not yet. Too much to do still. I am also fairly sure I am not beyond your reach, First Mage..." a soft chuckle, then the Archmage's voice continues "This is indeed truly me. First and foremost, do you think I would let anyone or anything else use my very voice? Surely, you jest...Second, the name of our mutual friend is Shovotar. I now possess an interesting book about him, a truly interesting addition to my collection. And Third..." a long pause follows, almost too long, as if the connection had been broken. When it seems nothing would follow, the rest of the message comes through, faintly and fading progressively: "...I know why I came back. That day...Elethineth brought me back...But I accepted her help and guidance because of you. I came back for you..."

The weave ended, cutting off the last words. It is clear to any arcanist that the amount of power it took to send across such a large message was likely staggering.

''Shovotar... Finally the beast has a name."

Ithilwen smiled as she leaned back on her chair. It was good to hear his voice, even if faint. There still would be no guarantee this would not be a trap, but to hear him say what he said was close enough... Close enough to take the risk. Only going there, into the shadowplane would be the ultimate proof. She took two scrolls and started writing.

"Just hold on, I'm coming..."

[Solaris]

To trap a shadow... (part I)

''Let's move out, there is not much time left.'' She watched around the group gathered. They were all here, all had come. Mendel, Nai, Grimm, Marigold, Selduin, Nea...
They all had come to face the shadow entity known now as Shovotar one last time. To free Kael from the creatures grip and help him trap it.

There had not been any time for another sending. They were too draining and she did not want to linger any longer. Besides...what needed to be said, was said. The answers she needed she would find where all the trouble started. Back in the plane of shadows.

''We will walk through shadow into the shadowplane. As soon as we are on the outskirts of the village I will cast the shadowwalk weave. If all goes well we will walk directly to that same city we were before. Mendel and Grimm know of what I speak. Make sure not to bring any light with you, even if dark as a moonless night. The creatures there will be drawn to it as moths to the flame.''

They moved to the edge of the village where they all gathered around her. She whispered to herself: ''Please don't let me lead my people in yet another trap''
She then touched the weave with her gift and started to shape it. Darkness engulfing the whole party, making them capable to walk from the material plane to the plane of shadow.

The shape of the fallen city became visible around her. She checked on her comrades one by one. She read recognition and determination in the eyes of those that came with her but also the fear of these strange eery and dark surroundings. this place made her feel restless, uneasy... the sound of battle in the distance did not improve the situation. Alright, she had to focus now. It would not be long before the entity would...

AHh...There yOu aRe!...YOu hAve ReTuRned my PRIZzE!

sense her...

''We have to move. We will not have much time. The eastern gate, that is what Kael told me. We should move there, out of this cursed city!''

Only moments after, Mendel reported creatures looming closer, forming a circle to trap them. More and more hoovered in, creeping closer, lured by the group's lifeforces. They fought their way towards the gate. There were many of the shadowed creatures attacking them, yet something didn't add up. Shovotar could destroy them by swarming them with his army. It was as if it was letting them pass. Wanting them to move on... Move on to the shadowtower. Towards Kael...

Once out of the gate two paths forked. One went towards the south, crossing a bridge. The other meandered towards the north east. She could see the edge of a shadowed forest. Just above that forest outline she saw a crescent moon, shimmering for only a moment. She narrowed her eyes but the moon was gone. "Did you all see that? Or did my eyes deceive me?" She looked at the others and some of her friends did indeed see that same shimmer of a moon in the otherwise pitch black, shadowed, north-eastern sky. "Then that is the right road to take, through the shadowed forest until we see a tower. That is where he'll be."



They followed the road leading through the north-east. Shadow beasts and other creatures indigenous to the shadowforest attacked them as they ventured too close into their territory but it was as if Shovotar lost track of them as soon as they had exited the cities gate. She could not shake the feeling of eyes lingering in the darkness however, watching her every move...

The forest became less thick and slight open spaces became larger and more frequent. The terrain started to rise as well. Another faint and short sight of the crescent moon let her know they were on the right track. After a long hike the group could determine something resembling a tower up ahead. Black whirling shadows surrounded the tower but through one of its windows a faint red, orange light could be seen. "That must be it. Finally..."

[Solaris]

To trap a shadow... (part II)

Not long after the group caught sight of the shadowed tower up ahead, creatures started to come to them in large numbers once more. Shovotar's minions... She could hear its eery laughter being carried on a cold gust of wind. So much for shaking the creature off...
They cut through the waves of dark attackers with relative ease however. Mendel, Grimm, Nea and Marigold cutting, bashing, each in their own rhythm and dance. Nai clawing through them with her dragon paws and Selduin's magic joining her own, cutting through the ranks of the black creatures coming for them. They moved towards the tower. As they came closer it seemed as if Shovotar's army was retreating once more. As if pushing them towards the tower with a controlled attack effort. Could it be it wanted them to be there? To find Kael? What did it want... She kept on thinking about it as she inspected the door in front of them.

Locked... She did not want to wait and started to push against the door with all the strength she had. She could almost feel his presence and a mere door would not hold her back now. However, this was of course... a futile effort seen her strength. At least until Mendel and Grimm started to push against the door as well. Grimm, with his might almost unhinged the door with his push. A dwarf of many uses she thought to herself with a slight grin.

''Let's move with care, we have no idea what waits for us in here'' She nodded once at Mendel and turned back to look up ahead down the hallway. He was here... she could feel him...

"Please, come in...welcome to my humble domain. I would offer refreshments, but I am afraid that won't be an option..." the wind he magically conjured carried his whispered words to the entrance of the tower. When the door to his inner sanctum opened, he stood without turning his masked face towards them: "It is good to see you all once more...make yourselves at home".

She simply stared towards the black mage. So it was true, he was alive. She knew of course, after the sending and everything but to see him out here, sensing him, his power signature... yes this was him. she had no doubt about it and even if on the outside her frozen mask was well in place, inside, her heart skipped a beat as he stared back at her.





"What is...What are you reading?!" Lady Marigold spoke up, sounding alarmed but Kael didn't seem to give her his attention, nor did Ithilwen as she moved a few steps towards Kael. "I am glad to see you all as well...there is much to talk about, and little time to do it..."
Marigold spoke out again: "Stay away from him...I'm not sure he can be trusted". Ithilwen glanced at Marigold. To be trusted? Oh she knew she could. Looks can be deceiving after all. This was Kael in control of his sometimes sinister behavior (sometimes? Who was she kidding...), of this creepy appearance scaring everyone away, keeping the crowd at distance. One just needed to know him to see through him. A glance at Mendel next to her confirmed he thought the same.

"I have the means to end it all, but as I said, shockingly enough I cannot do it without your help. The Rit-" his words were interrupted by Marigold's healing spell, washing over the black mage. She grinned: "You looked hurt...here, let me help you.." Marigold said, as the healing force kept washing over him. Was that a slight stagger she saw? Her thoughts were interrupted as Kael resumed.

"Thank...you. Although, that was really not... necessary. As I was saying, there is a ritual I can perform to defeat Shovotar...permanently. But I will need you to fight him during the execution. My concentration cannot be broken..."

Nods, words of approval and eyes filled with determination followed. Ithilwen locked her eyes with his, sharing a moment of mutual understanding.

"So...can I see that tome of yours?" Lady Marigold insisted, pointing towards the ample pocket where Kael made it disappear. For the first time, he turned towards her, replying after a long moment: "No.". The finality of his tone drained her smile out, the joviality leaving her. Ithilwen glanced between the two and kept her eyes lingering on Kael. That tome... She'd have to take a look at that, but now was not the time. Besides, she had had many dark looking tomes in her hands herself in the past. Know your enemy...

There was no time to reply however as a horde of shadow creatures crashed through into the inner sanctum of the shadowed tower. Darkness itself was out to consume them all. She felt Kael's magical signature as he started weaving almost simultaneously with her, unleashing a devastation among the shadowed creatures coming for them. Selduin was close by as she heard him muttering, creating his own deadly weaves. Grimm went for the door with his axe raised and it did not take long before she only saw glances of the stout dwarf, surrounded by blackness of Shovotar's minions. Mendel, Nai and Marigold were not far behind him, fighting the creatures with all they had. Nea slipped in and out of shadows, as if gliding from one enemy to another with a deadly grace.

''Now, it had begun...''

[Solaris]

To Trap a shadow... (part III)

On instinct Ithilwen dodged as she saw the mighty meteor shower cause destruction all around her. Crashing down on Shovotar's minions but leaving her friends unharmed. ''Seems you did not lose your touch old friend.'' She muttered with a smile before chanting a deadly ray of piercing cold towards one of the larger shades that broke through the line at the door, dissolving it instantly. The wave lessened a bit but she had no illusions this was all there was. She did not lose him out of sight, making sure he was safe. As soon as that first wave ended the dragon-shaped Nai took a protective position between Kael and the entrance. Perfect, if anyone can keep those shadows away from him it will be Nai. That could give me some freedom to...

Brutally, her thoughts got interrupted as she noticed a darkness rising up from everywhere around the room. Every crack, every little corner, they came from all over the place. A growing darkness, rising...forming into more and more shades and other shadow creatures. As she traced glyphs of power in the air she moved closer to Kael and Nai, making sure they would not get overrun by the enormity of darkness now all around. She unleashed well placed blizzards of extreme cold in the corners where the darkness was rising, weaving them in her own special deadly way. She heard Kael behind her almost simultaneously. "Experience true death...Killing Rampart!" He quickened pools of grease in every corner of the room, and ignited immense walls of consuming flames right on top of them, empowered with his own addition to the spells' classic formulas. Shadow minions went down in great numbers, still they kept pressing on. "You're no match for my powers...but then, who is?" She heard Kael laugh a terrible laugh. By the Seldarine, he did not lose anything of his attitude... She shook her head slightly as she traced more glyphs in the air, intense cold surrounding her as weave after weave hit target.

She turned around as she noticed an enormous claw reaching for her from behind. ''Not today, shadow... Not today!'' She Searched for her gift inside, empowering it until she felt she was about to burst and unleashed all that power onto the creature in front of her. Freezing it solid in the process until it crumbled in thousand of pieces on the ground.

And then there was silence... a deadly silence... as she stared at the remains of the shade, melting away. The only thing she heard was her own breathing and that of her companions around her. A slight clang of steel touching steel as Marigold took a step. But other than that...there was nothing... Ithilwen wondered how many waves they had withstand so far. It must have been many seen the way she felt. She was spend but she also had the eery feeling this would just be the calm before the storm...

She noticed a change in the light within the room. A slight change only but enough to draw her attention to the fireplace in the middle of the room. A darkness was growing out of it, as if it was consuming, feasting on the energy of the flames. Yet it did not stop there, it grew bigger and larger. Dark shadows swirling around. She noticed how the temperature dropped within the room, turning colder as the entity expanded in size. Slowly the shadows cohered into a mass, forming a shape. A shape she knew very well. She felt a hint of the hunger that had plagued her for so long. A laugh with a voice that sounded like a thousand tortured souls resonated in her head. She knew who this was and she almost hissed it's name. Her otherwise serene calm mask cracked into one of anger.

''Shovotar...''

[Solaris]

To trap a shadow... (part IV)

This was it. The final stand! She had to keep Shovotar away from Kael as soon as he started his binding ritual to trap the entity. she saw her companions did not hesitate either and launched a full and heavy attack on the creature. Distracting it from what Kael was doing. A quick glance at the dark mage confirmed her he had started. Spell forms around him ignited as she saw the Netherese scroll dissolve slowly in his right hand. She knew what this meant and that it would take a heavy toll on him. Incantations of this magnitude were dangerous if not in perfect control of the wielded energies. Nothing had to disturb him now or all would still be lost. She unleashed all she could on the creature Shovotar. She had to go deep to find the strength still and she fought an inner battle to keep control on her own gift as fatigue slowly but steady got hold on her. She heard the soft voice of Kael behind her, chanting out the incantation in Netherese:

"It matters not how well you hide,
And though Darkness is your bride
I shall bind you with my spell,
And find you where you dwell.

This dark gem you'll leave no more,
And by the power gained through Lore,
Your ravenous hunger will be undone
Your essence trapped, forever gone.

As your ghastly form finally fades
And I erase you from the planes,
We will not speak of you again:
In eternal oblivion you will wane."

The dark gem in his left hand, inert till that moment, began pulsating of pure black energy as a ray of darkness hit the hulking form of Shovotar, beginning to channel his dark mass inside the crystal.



With a howl of pain, horror and agony, the creature was sucked into the jewel, vanishing forever from the world. It was done... The creature Shovotar was imprisoned... She stared at the crystal in Kael's hand with an unreadable expression, a cold mask frozen solid on her face but on the inside, she was laughing, crying and cheering at the same time. The entity that had hunted her, tortured her and took so much from her was finally gone. Trapped in a place it could no longer hurt anyone. "Meeting adjourned..." She heard Kael whisper next to her, as the injuries of Lady Winters and the dancer Nea were taken care of. ''Indeed, time to leave this place of sorrow...'' The group prepared to leave the ruins of Kael's dark sanctuary in the plane of shadows.

Back in the prime material plane She watched her friends go to the places they called home. Grimm headed to the Troll Claws and Nea and Marigold walked towards Baldur's Gate. Which left only her, Kael, Seldruin, Nai and Mendel. Nai had made it absolutely clear, the gem would not be allowed within the village or the forest. It would be too dangerous, especially in the wrong hands. Kael promised that, until he would find a safe solution for the gem containing Shovotar, he would stay out of the forest and the village. Mendel agreed on these terms, Seldruin seemed a bit taken aback by the immensity of all that had happened and remained silent. Yes, that gem should stay safe in the right hands, and for now... it was...
As they said their goodby to Kael for the night, Ithilwen glanced at the mage for a moment. For most it would seem as her normal serene expression but she knew he knew. They then crossed the Boareskyr's Bridge, nearing the Misty Forest, towards home...

Back in her rooms she took a deep breath, a smile appeared on her lips as she closed her eyes. Peace, at long last...they had won. She watched out of the window as the village slowly prepared for the coming night. She heard a knock on her door and she turned away from the window. ''Come in...'' A young elven girl brought in some fruit and a clean gown for the night. ''I thank you little one.'' She smiled at the child as she left. Ithilwen ate some of the fruit and refreshed herself. She then stared at the gown with a slight grin. ''Not yet, there is something I have to take care of first...'' She put on her cloak and left towards the Boareskyr's Bridge as the falling darkness descended over the village.

[Solaris]

Meeting...


It was a cold summer night. Ithilwen followed the path from the pillars towards the bridge. It felt good to walk among shadows once more, without the feeling something or someone was watching. Liberating to be exact. All seemed to have worked out in the end. He was alive, she could not fully fathom it still. They all survived this peril, all was well except for Luthien... She hoped changes would start soon and she knew they would take good care of her in Ardeep. She made a mental note to contact Andariel first thing in the morning. Right now she had other things to do.

She looked up at the entrance of the ruined crooked tower close to the bridge and muttered. ''Not much for a wizard tower or even a grande mansion. Not even a beggar would want to stay here if you ask me...'' She chuckled softly and without knocking she entered as she noticed the heavy door was slightly opened.
"I heard that..." was the whisper carried by the wind, reaching her once inside. She smiled, shaking her head "Ohh, I know you did...where would be the fun if you hadn't?"

She followed the short, half ruined corridor to a partially crumbled set of stairs. She climbed them deftly, and when she reached the second floor she quirked an eyebrow at the sight: the large chamber, which had probably been a tactical room when the tower was in use, was completely cleared of dust and debris. The air smelled of old wood, musk and flowery scents, and indeed the faint candlelight and the additional tenuous illumination provided by very mild light weaves illuminated the various flower vases all around the room. A sizable, round mahogany table was set up in the middle of it, with two very comfortable-looking, throne-like chairs and a banquet of meat, fruit, bread, cheese, fresh vegetables and sweets was displayed on it, with bottles of red wine and cider.

"How did you..." She looked around suspiciously, only seeing Kael's dark figure sitting casually on one of the two armchairs You cannot have prepared all of this by yourself, so quickly...how..? The Archmage raised his eyes towards her, smiling warmly Guilty. She narrowed her eyes, suspiciously: Then...? Are you going to explain yourself? she stated in a mockingly imposing tone. Why, of course not, Your Highness... chuckled the black robed wizard. She sighed heavily, feigning irritation and holding her curiosity in check You are impossible, you know?. The pale Sun Elf grinned: Do you want to kill me too? Get in line... and before she could reply, he snapped his fingers and a human who looked like a bandit came forth. She was about to blast him to bits when Kael spoke: My dear, this is Robert, my new cup bearer. Well...for now, that is...His career will be...uhm...short. Robert, two wine glasses, please. Thank you... She sighed heavily, and this time genuinely. The man's absent eyes betrayed the strength of the compulsion weave Kael had placed on him. He WAS impossible...

Kael...thank you for this, I mean, it's really nice, but... instead of paying attention, the mage whispered something to Robert, who came back with a large bouquet of roses of every color conceivable: Thank you, Robert. That will be all as the dominated bandit walked away, she tried to continue, but he added: For you with another of his rare warm smiles. I...thank you. But Kael...you know we need to talk...about you...about that book of yours... the mage observed the content of his glass pensively for long, long moments. She began wondering if he even knew she was still there, when he finally nodded solemnly:

I love conversation. Most of all when it's about stunningly interesting matters, like my magnificent self, and the joy it is to behold me. Let's talk...

His emerald eyes locked into hers. And all the warmth was gone from him. That part of him just was not there anymore, vanished like if it had never been there in the first place.

''Kael, that tome you have, it is a spellbook isn't it? How did you get it and what is it's nature?'' She kept her now cold eyes on him, she hoped he could not see the worry in them she felt inside, nor any of her other feelings. She was a master at cloaking her emotions but with him... It became harder and harder... and she knew it. It was as if he could see right through her sometimes.

[Solaris]

Meeting...(part II)

He raised his eyes from his still untouched wine glass and locked his emerald gaze on to hers. He seemed to weigh her, as if carefully considering what to say, and how, something the wizard rarely ever did, or needed to do. In the end, he drew a deep breath, and let it out slowly before replying blankly:

"It is an arcane grimoire, as I told you. I had lost mine when I was pulled into the Shadow Plane, and so I took this one when I found it, locked inside a magic chest with the dark gem and the Netherese Binding Spell. As far as I can tell, it's just as ancient. My spellbook was already extensive, but this one..." shakes his head, a wan smile on his pale lips "...this one belonged to the same mage for thousands of years. You do realize what this entails...it's value is incalculable."

He slowly and tiredly stood, walking towards the far end of the room, staring into the night from a broken section of the wall that once was probably a window. "The former master of the Shadow Tower was not a humanoid, albeit he was shaped as one. When I killed him, I had the chance to glimpse at his true, tentacular self...nothing you would want to see before dinner, I assure you..." he laughed softly "Regardless...given his mastery, how incredibly fast and powerfully he could weave, I believe he was a Phaerimm. It is a miracle I could beat him, even in all my magnificence...we are talking about creatures who destroyed the Imaskari Empire. Do you know what this means? Imaskari and Netherese artifacts...the best of two worlds..."

He turned towards her once more, green eyes ablaze in the faint candlelight: "I am not sure about it's nature. It's probably suspicious, surely sinister, but no more than my own good self...I will not relinquish it. Any further discussion about my spellbook is nuncupatory. I do not know if there are any moral implications, but I am beyond morality, therefore to the Nine with them..."

Turning back towards the broken window, he murmured in a light-hearted tone: "Try the apple pie. His Grandmother's secret recipe..." nodded towards the dominated bandit "...How can you even become a brigand, with such apple pies?!"

Ithilwen never shifted her eyes from him as he spoke. Taking in his words, pondering them. She glanced towards the apple pie for a moment before turning her gaze back to Kael. ''Kael, can you promise me one thing?'' She made sure he looked at her before she continued. ''Never use that grimoir against us, or in a way it could harm us. You know I trust you. Many would think me a fool for such but I know better.''
She smiled at him for a moment before continuing. ''I just like to hear you say it. If you grant me that, I will not speak of it again.''

Without turning around, the black mage slowly replied:"You must know I would never do that..." was it a shade of sadness in his voice? She kept her eyes on him for a moment before adding. ''I do and I trust you. But I needed to ask, in preparation of what I will ask now...'' She sighed and a hint of melancholy dawned in her eyes. ''Please, Kael, do not use it to harm yourself either. This last period, I went through the Nine Hells and back. I thought you were gone, dead... that I would never see you again. I do not want to feel like that anymore... I cannot...'' She stopped and smiled at him. ''You have no idea what it means to me that you are here, alive and well.''

"Maybe I do. Maybe that is why I am back among the living in the first place. Maybe that is why I am who I am... what I am. I renounced Arvandor, and I will never be able to go back...not after...this. He turned around, smiling warmly at her But if I had the chance once more, I would make the same choice again.


He walked towards the table, sitting down and rubbing his gloved hands "Now, let's feast. Serious matters can wait for a while..."

[Solaris]

Energy-core...


It was late in the evening. A single candle lighted the room, casting moving shadows on the walls around her.

''Just imagine if there was only a shard left... a splinter at that... wouldn't that be enough?''

Ithilwen stared at the scroll in front of her, re-reading the ancient Netherese runes and studied the detailed drawings. The magical device looked much like a crystal ball but was about 150 feet in diameter. The globe shed a very bright light. It reminded her of the disc of the sun but with dimmer shadows and shapes moving across its surface. An ornate stand kept the perfectly spherical device in place.




''There could still be a part left. Even after all this time. A shard. Something excavators or adventurers might have overlooked, or didn't dare because it is too dangerous. By the Seldarine, it will be dangerous...''

Ithilwen paused for a moment. Taking a sip of water out of the glass in front of her.

''It would be more than enough for our purposes... the only problem is to find it...What do you think? ...Kael?...Kael... Kael stop it! You are distracting me!''

The Archmage's left hand lifted from her shoulder, his lips curving in a thin, bloodless line. There were so many things one could do with a power like his...

"Yes, of course it will. The problem is to locate it, and to deal with the ones that had the idea before you...because they will be there, guarding it..."

She took another sip of the fresh water, hoping it would clear her mind. She then turned around, facing the black robed mage. ''I expect no less indeed. Do you have a location in mind? Do we go to a crash-site in the desert, or might there be a more...convenient, more local place we might have luck? I was thinking about the Orzogoth...''

The dark wizard chuckled softly: "Ah, yes...the Orzogoth are indeed a Netherese family of import, they seem like a good start...I am sure Laisren would be...delighted...

[Solaris]

Energy-Core (Part II)

Ithilwen watched Nai from the distance as she was moving the plants around the tree that was to become the arcane study. She let out a sigh as she stared down on what seemed to be an ancient map.

''The Anauroch desert...''

She looked up from the map and glanced once more towards the feral druidess. The study was growing and soon it would need its energy source to fuel the persistent weaves they would place on it. She wished there was more time... especially with the debates going on right now but this was simply not the case. This had to go on according schedule for it to work.
She stood up from the bench and started to chant a teleportation-weave. A bright white light surrounded her and as the light dissipated a moment later she became aware of her new surroundings of the crooked tower, the Bridgefort. She gripped the map in her hand tighter as she walked towards one of the inner chambers.

''Kael, I believe we need to move on with this...'' She walked towards the dark robed figure without taking notice what he was doing. ''This place... if this map is accurate, and I have reason to believe it is, it might pinpoint a location where to find what we seek. It will be a long travel and most likely more dangerous than the one we were planning, but the chances of success would also grow consistently...'' She showed him the parchment. ''What do you think, is it reliable? It shows only a part of a fallen city, but I traced its location with the lore available to me...it fits...''

He nodded slowly "Please, come in...glad to see you too...yes, I am fine, thank you..." he uttered sarcastically "And then, they accuse me of being hardly the social type...I'm clearly a perfect host!" He glanced at her expression, quickly moving back on topic "Fine, fine...here, let me have a look..." he muttered, leaving the vial he was holding suspended in mid air and extending his gloved hand towards her.

After a few candlemarks of silence, study and comparative use of several rather large lore tomes, he inclined his head slowly, massaging his forehead with two fingers: "Yes," he said tiredly "it looks like the real deal. Now, we just have to find one shard of Mythallar, avoid the Bedine, dodge the Zhentarim control of the area and its Oasis, as well as their eyes on the Black Road, try and not to disturb what is left of the Phaerimm, and deal with whatever it is that claimed the artifact..."



He pondered for long moments, then glanced towards her: "Sounds like the worst is behind us! When do we leave?"

''Well...there is that of course. It will be far from easy. Perhaps we can discuss with Mendel if he is willing to form a team. We could use steel against steel in this case. In fact, we can use anyone willing to come... If they want to come... But it has to be done now. The growing has started and I believe there is not much time left for us to provide the permanent weaves on the study.''

She looked up from the map, gazing in his eyes. ''I believe you are my first volunteer then.'' She smiled at him.

''I want to attract the least possible attention if we travel there... This map does lead close to the Black Road...Let alone a stranded Phaerimm at those ruins, who knows what awaits us there. We have to take the proper precautions.''

"Of course I am. Very serious arcane hazard involved, how can I miss it?!?! And I agree regarding the precautions. But given the huge risks, I am reluctant to ask our brothers and sisters to come...we will see who wishes to join. But please, make them aware of the risks...This is one of the most dangerous endeavors conceivable."

She nodded slowly.

''I will inform Mendel this very instant. I believe it best to meet here if you do not mind.''

As the archmage inclined his head in agreement, she closed her eyes as she touched her gift. Words formed as she wove the sending spell to the Dharashan Leader.

''Mendel, whenever you might have time I would like to speak with you regarding the arcane study. You can find us at Kael's temporary residence in the Bridgefort. I thank you for your time.''

[Solaris]

Crossroads...


The dreams, the flashes... They returned last night. It had been long since she had the dream. At least it felt that way...

The spinning arrow on a silver plate, beginning slowly but picking up momentum as it continues to rotate...
Then, a sudden, abrupt halt...pointing towards the direction of a rapidly rising sun.
Higher and higher, enormous, pulsating with heat and with such a massive, blinding light.
Before she can even raise her hand to shield her eyes,
the light gets swallowed by a thick darkness, coming in as fast as the wind itself...
The pale face of a woman, her horrified, soundless scream as the void engulfs her...
And then...Nothing...Darkness..Silence...

The feeling of loss of breath still lingered as the words of Aza were echoing in her head as he used to speak them to her so many times:
'breathe little one... it is over...it is just a dream...focus!'

She never truly found an explanation for it. Was it but a dream? Made up by her mind to explain things she could not explain? Actual things that happened to her, that she witnessed somehow? A combination of both? The more she tried to find out, the deeper she sank in it. Tangled up by the non-sense it made as she tried to bind it together. Aza had told her it could have been flashes of memory of her past. Some indications on where she came from and what happened to her parents. She had tried to search for clues but so far it all ended in nothing.

Where had the old elf gone to anyway? Another attempt to contact him ended in nothing but silence. She was getting worried now. Hermit or not, the frostmage could not have just dissapeared so suddenly, not leaving a mark, hint or any other form of message. He always used to answer, even if there were many seasons between contact. It had been around 2 years since she last spoke to him. She would increase her patrols into the cloudpeaks. Perhaps she should search at his last known location... if she could find it back. That elf had his ways to stay concealed.

Ithilwen placed her hands on her head tiredly. Too many things to think about, too many things to take care of. Priorities is what she had to make. Choices, which made it not easy for her. The village should be first priority for now, the tower, the crystal. And then there was him...

The dark mage. She knew she could trust him with her life, yet he confused her. She knew who he is, what he is. But she also very much realized how dangerous he could be. Could she keep him in check? She doubted it... Developments of his newly arrived visitors did not bode well. Power, attracted power. Especially certain kind of powers... Could he withstand temptation? Could she stand against him if the time came? Doubt filled her mind as feelings for him pushed through her normally cold demeanor.

She shook the thought away. No... It would not be needed. But first things first. Aza would have to wait, she would keep on trying to contact him but more than that she could not do right now.

'I hope you are safe Aza... Wherever you might be right now...'

[Solaris]

Snowflakes...

Ithilwen followed the little snowflake with her eyes as it came down. Shortly before it touched the frozen ground she placed her hand underneath it, catching it gently in her palm. A small ray of sunlight passing through the clouds touched the flake's surface, lighting it up for a short moment.
She lifted her hand up as she kept her eyes on the snowflake.

''Where are you...''

She blew softly towards the little flake, making it lift off and it danced through the air, joining the other countless ones until they would touch the icy mountain terrain below them.

Ithilwen glanced behind her. She let out a slight sigh as she saw the new snow slowly taking hold on three iced statues. All three contained the frozen, dead bodies of yetis. She turned back around and lowered herself towards the frosted ground in front of her. She placed her hand on the ground, closed her eyes and started to mutter something in the arcane language. From under her hand a humming sound rose, filling the air around her, growing stronger as she kept on chanting the old incantations. A blue glow flowed up from her fingers, curling upwards around her arm, growing brighter and thicker as the chanting continued. She then stopped abruptly, opening her eyes and at the same moment the energy around her arm shot up through the snowflakes towards the clouds, leaving nothing but some glowing sparks twirling until they reluctantly dimmed out. With a hint of hope shimmering through her icy expression she looked skywards. Only moments later the energy seared back down to her, engulfing her, swirling around until it was absorbed by her body.

She gasped as she stood up, still partly shaken by the sudden power flow. As she took a moment to recover, her serene, icy mask slipped back on her face. She picked up the blanket from the ground and shook it once to remove the snow before draping it around her.



It was time to meet Kael. A smile formed on her lips as she muttered a traveling weave. A blinding white light flashed and where Ithilwen had been standing, only snow crystals remained covering what had been her footprints.

[Solaris]

Spiders...


Ithilwen followed Arkaine Halforken with her cold eyes as he moved away from her. Fanatics, to trust so blindly on faith alone, no proof needed whatsoever. It was beyond her understanding. A giant spider as big as a tree in the cloak wood? Highly unlikely as she just passed through it herself only moments ago and saw no indications at all of such a being holding itself up there.

She took out a tome and started reading it. Finally a moment to herself. The day had been long with duty, the night even longer. Early morning was upon her and she welcomed the first rays of sun. Just as she was about to lose her thoughts in the content of the book, she noticed Sir Arkaine together with a half orc female, an earth genasi and a human male on the trade way, heading towards the Cloak Woods. She raised an eyebrow. He wasn't really going to hunt down a giant spider that felled an entire protected caravan with only these people with him? True or not, this was far from smart. She shook her head as she tugged the tome away. She gathered the shadows around her and decided to follow the group.

She followed at a distance, observing them as they made their way deep into the Cloak Woods. She saw groups of spiders attack the small party along the way, but they had it well in hand. There was no need for her to interfere. She did wonder about the unusual large amount of spider activity in the forest. As the group was contemplating on their next move, Ithilwen went forward slowly towards one of the corpses of the spitting spiders. Carefully she broke off one of the mandibles. It made a small pop and she looked up to the group to sense if anyone had heard her. If they had, they must have discarded it as sounds of the forest and she let out a slow breath. Having the mandible in her hand she started to search for anything on it. As far as she could tell there was nothing out of the ordinary about it. Nothing magical, just a mundane mandible of a spider.

She looked up as the group started moving again. She followed as they went deeper in the forest. Some more spider attacks followed as they closed in on a particular large tree. The female half orc noticed the spider coming down from it right on time and slashed the creature in two. After that fight the forest grew silent all around. Too silent for her taste. As daylight faded slowly, she moved closer to the protection of a large rock not too far from the tree as she kept on watching the group. They were preparing camp as if to lure the creature out. Seeming vulnerable and in rest it could prove to be the perfect scheme to get to this giant spider. If it was there at all...

Night fell and the group seemed tired. She tugged herself deeper in the nook she found. The human they called Castan seemed somewhat distant, his knowledge of the forest setting him apart from the group. Arakaine himself appeared anxious. It was a tense night, yet it did not withhold the two half orcs to fall into slumber. Not too long after, the earth genasi followed as he dipped his head.
Only the human Castan seemed awake, keeping his eyes and ears on the surroundings vigilantly. Yet... he failed to see her, she thought with a slight smile.

Time passed slowly for her feeling, but all of a sudden she could hear knispering sounds around her. The bellowing raucous voice of Arkaine sounded through the night at the same moment. ''To arms!'' She looked passed the group as the shadow of an enormous spider showed itself. The voice of the earth genasi joined in almost simultaneously. ''To arms!'' Ithilwen lifted herself up, still covered in the shadows. ''Bloody hells.'' She heard the half orcen female say. For once she had to admit these were appropriate words coming from the mouth of a half orc. The thing was big, immense... Instinctively Ithilwen called upon her gift, letting the power flow towards her hand, ready to strike at any moment. Smaller spiders but not less vicious crowded in around the group. Including Ithilwen. There was no choice but to come out of shadow and help the group. She murmured some words in the arcane and the power lashed out, freezing some of the smaller spiders in their rampage towards the group. As she watched behind her she saw the mighty mace of Arkaine crushing down on the spider. He fought with the fire she only recognized in those of the faith, not caring for their own safety. The earth genasi fighting side by side with the half orc. Quick blades of the female half orc slashed through the creature. Yet, they took a beating. She stretched out her hand and started weaving. A forceful gust of wind flew from her hand towards the spider. It was as if a giant fist held the creature in place. There, that would give them enough openings to strike it down, she thought with a slight smile as she stepped back in the shadows. The hulking earth genasi made a final swing with his baroque great sword and buried the blade deep within the spider, right between its eyes. The body of the black widow hit the ground with a large thump.



''Well struck Brother Ferragus!'' The half orc paladin said. Ithilwen moved closer to the group. ''So it seems you were right Sir Arkaine. The path of faith works in mysterious ways...'' She stepped out of the shadows and looked around the battered group. Surprise of her appearance showed on their faces. ''Are you all, alright?'' ''Hrgn-...!''
Hrgnn... Aye, we will live.'' Arkaine said. ''Who are you?'' The voice of the female half orc sounded to her right. She turned towards her and answered with a slight grin. ''See me as a watchful eye in the dark.''

The female half orc moved towards the spiders corpse and without any hesitation, pulled open the belly of the creature. The gore spilled out and covered the half orc partly. Together with the gore and guts a body of a gnome flowed out. The mostly digested body was broken in two pieces. She kept her eyes on the body as she listened to Arkaine's words. ''By Helm... I must take this poor little one back to thine temple of Garl Glittergold. A solemn vow I did swear to Gellana Mirrorshade, that I would safeguard and protect thine kin of Garl Glittergold.'' He knelt down and picked up the corpse, spilling the gold the gnome probably had been carrying with him. It would be enough to pay for a proper burial for the gnome, Ithilwen thought. The group broke off the camp and moved out of the deep forest. Ithilwen parted with the group before they reached the edge. She covered herself in shadow and moved off towards a secluded area of the forest.

At a small forest lake she sat down. Faith, this was the second time she had seen it work its mysterious ways. A vision was enough to convince the paladin to move. The word of a stranger... No proof...Paladins, they remained a riddle to her. She then picked up her tome once more. ''Now... Where was I?...''

[Solaris]

Thoughts...


It was dark in the tower. She heard the slow breathing of Kael close to her. Reverie was simply not coming to her. Her mind kept on spinning in thoughts, thoughts about all that was happening and still had to happen. The future was uncertain. But wasn't it always?

She let out a sigh and walked to the small window close by. As she arrived, some of the dark clouds parted and a full moon showed its face. She let the light touch her face and she closed her eyes. Their talk with Reader Lafreth only raised more questions. What was it the lich was searching for. Who was this Grandfather of Assassins and what truth did those children rhymes hold about him. Names had power, more power than most people realized.

A cold gust of wind played with her hair as it entered through the partially broken window, breaking her row of thoughts for a moment. She glanced back towards Kael who was deep in reverie. She felt a hint of jealousy of his tranquility. How was it possible he could close his eyes and be at peace. A thought struck her and made her smile. He almost looked cute like this. Cute...the archmage... two concepts that just didn't fit together.

She turned back to watch out of the window. She whispered to the wind. ''What is it you want, Zhengyi...'' She stood there, silently for a while. Her hands closed around the gemmed ring around her neck. Thoughts rushing through her head once more about the lich, Aza, the arcane tower... Yes, even thoughts about a strange conversation she had with a fellow arcanist about circle magic. She massaged her temples as she felt a headache coming up. She was tired, very tired...

She found her eyes resting at the calmly breathing frame of Kael again. ''Cute...If he ever heard I said that, he'd kill me for it.'' With that, she walked towards him with a slight smile and placed herself in a sitting position close to him.
A flap of dark wings by the window, right before the Archmage replied: "Finally...I thought you'd never stop staying there babbling nonsense and speculating about my reactions to it...". His left arm encircled her shoulders, the pale skin even colder than usual because of her chilling touch. She closed her eyes, finally able to enter her reverie

[Solaris]

The dark side of the moon.




It was a particularly cold night for this time of the year. An icy wind had set up early in the evening. It blew through some of the cracks and holes within the small room high up in the tower.

A darkness in the corner of the room seemed to grow and with it the temperature dropped even lower. Shadows swirled around eachother, slowly dissipating shortly after. ''So, this is where you are...'' Ithilwen's shape became clear through the blackness around her.

She glanced around the small, mostly broken place. She could not recall having ever been in this part of the tower before. Apart from the climate it didn't do much to her. It probably must have been some sort of storage room in earlier days. What it did have was a perfect view from a window of the bridge and the outskirts of the forest. She saw the black shape of Kael, his back towards her as he watched out of that very window. ''So, what was that all about earlier?''

He remained in silence for long moments, his large bat familiar hanging comfortably from the roof.
"And good to see you too, dear...
I am not sure what you are getting at. Nai had questions for me, and I answered to the best of my abilities. It's not easy to explain arcane weaves to non arcanists. It seems clear, however, that I have to kill this Mip gnome for excess of stupidity...slowly..." A hint of irritation seeping into his usually blank tone when he uttered the last sentence.

Ithilwen let herself glide in a sitting position from the wall she was leaning on. ''True, you are right. It is difficult to explain weaves to those that do not possess the spark. Or to those that in essence, use a complete different form of spells and spellshapes. You could try and teach her, but even if she is gifted, she is gifted in a too different form. She will only scratch the surface of what we do. Never fully understand in the true meaning of the word.'' She took in a deep breath and slowly led it out, remaining silent for a while before continuing. ''This was not completely what I was hinting at Kael. What I was hinting at was your discussion with Nai before that, saying you were no good. I heard you mention this before. Do you truly believe this? That you are some evil monster? I know you like others to think it, to scare them away. But are you starting to believe this yourself?''

The Archmage laughed softly: "You heard the lady's opinion. What's the truth, Ithilwen? Truth, like beauty, is just a matter of perspective. When enough people see you in a certain way, that becomes the truth about you. Perception is reality when the eye is untrained, or when the onlooker does not bother to actually see.... Who am I to go against the general consensus?! Besides...who knows, maybe they are right...

She shook her head slowly. ''People are stupid, Kael. They can be made to believe any lie because either they want to believe it's true or because they are afraid it's true. Look what happened with Celundel. Don't fall for it yourself. Yes, you made choices I do not agree with. Yet, I also know why you did them. You are what you are but the choice in how you act is still yours. The tool in itself is not evil, it is the choice in how to use it, that makes us evil.'' She sighed as she looked up to the window. You believe you are empty, alone... But you are not. Your friends like Mendel, Kai, your family, me...I am right here, and I am not going to let you slip down that mountain.''

The dark wizard sighed heavily, still staring out of the window. As he spoke, Nightwing stirred, a lazy flap of bat wings before wrapping them tighter around its body: "There is wisdom in your words my beloved, but keep in mind that some tools actually are evil, regardless of the way they are employed. My choices are my burden, my own responsibility, and I do not regret them: I did what was needed, what had to be done. As I always do. As for Celundel...he did what he believed was right...not to say he is any less of a dimwit for that, mind you: he could have thought it through slightly better...but he is a dimwit I can understand.
On two things you are right: I am what I am, and... somewhat incredibly given that fact, I am not alone. Let's see how long that lasts...You, of all people, should know what I mean...

She raised her eyebrow. ''How long that lasts? No, I do not follow you...''

The black mage spun around suddenly, his bat bolting out of the window with a screech: "Ohh, I think you do...You heard Nai's questions and accusations. Does it matter if she is right or wrong?" He laughed mirthlessly.

''It does not, and I do not know who put these ideas in her mind but it is not something we can have right now. All we can do now is talk and explain it to her. In whatever way that is possible...'' A hint of anger flared through her otherwise cold voice. ''Ignorance... Why can its effects be so destructive...'' She took a deep breath and her calm demeanor took over once more. ''Whatever happens, you are not alone... You might not understand, but even I can't come back on certain choices I made...Nor do I want to... Perhaps at some point, you will understand what I mean.''

"Knowledge's effects are at times just as destructive...". He stepped towards her, taking her right hand into his left one before adding softly "...and I do understand what you mean. Right now."