The War of Ages...

[Tasslehofl Momus]

He finally turned his attention away from Sai Jon. He could feel it as well. The time would come when they would need to discuss what was happening, and the implications of it. But now was not the time.

His gaze came to rest upon Alais as she descended the stairs with her automation. His eyes scanned her quickly, and found the gun which she clutched tightly. She would need all the help which she could muster. Including Ulysses.

His gaze shifted around the group that has assembled. There was still one missing which he knew to be crucial in this war, but he would come in his own time.

“Mr. Momus, take us to war.”

Sai Jon had no idea.

Carefully, he wove the pattern that was needed to bend the reality to him, first protruding the barrier that encompassed the entire set of Isle’s, then the one that encompassed his home. Then, turning, he nodded, and stepped through, leading them to the Manor.

Once through, he quickly and tightly sealed and tied off each barrier; first the Manor’s then the Isle’s. He would not allow another in or out of this world. What ever was to happen, it would stop here.

It was only a matter of moments of his arrival that Phal, his wife’s dragon, found him and began to flash the images through his mind. As the small dragon continued, and finally finished, Tass’s face grew paler and calmer with each passing moment.

Then the world around him exploded. Rage ripped through him. His body tore apart, leaving the tattered remains of his clothing behind as his dragon-side emerged. Each shining and brandished green scale dimmed, and the golden wings blackened with his rage.

It was Sai Jon who recovered first. His question came softly. He knew this kind of pain. “What has happened?”

Tass’ voice was soft and pain filled. It, too, was laced with rage and insanity. “They have taken them.”

[Kor Jon]

Sai Jon recognized the tone and the emotions, he didn't know the specifics but few things would elicit this type of explosion. "Tell us everything," he said quietly. "We need to know it all if we're going to help you get them back."

Jacob looked around confused, "Get who back?"

[Alais d Nitesong]

Tass' fury was frightening. We'd arrived, sheltered from the horror of what was happening to the Isles, but the news that Spike and her daughter were taken by the invaders was shattering. After what Khirsah had shown me, I worried what was being done to them. Were their souls still their own? Were they alive? Whatever their status, they would carry scars forever from this.

"Tass, we are going to need safe havens, places to hide, protection if we are going to organize a resistance and begin to fight this. I need the Three Books. I can summon two of them, but the Third has remained with Khirsah."

I left it unsaid for now that there may come a time when I would need Daemonbane, and now that I know what happened to my inheritance from Morrin, I know how to obtain it when or if the time comes.

Ozy processed that information, and based on the advanced state of invasion, suggested we move to The Pearl as a hiding place.

[Tasslehofl Momus]

It was a long time coming… but once it did, the breath that he took in wracked his body. He knew his anger was better focused than left in a torrent fury. He would find them, and those that took them, and teach them that there were worse things that the Hells and death.

He turned his attention to Sai Jon, and gazed long into those eyes. During that time, he slowly drew his body back into that of the human form. Phal continued to hover near him, and finally, came to rest on his shoulder. The dragon, though little, held just as much worry and fear as he did.

His voice came finally, and it was still etched much as it was when he was transformed. “My wife and daughter, brother. They have been taken.” His gaze shifted and looked to Alais, and nodded. “Yes, we need a place to organize. It will not be the Pearl though. I cannot divert my energy to keeping you all protected from the elements, and, if you have forgotten, the Pearl is the Place of Origin for this plague. We will build our forces here, for it is here where I can garner the most help. As for the Third… Alais, I do not have it. Surely the Elder informed you how to aquire it?” He left the question hanging, his eyes knowing the answer.

He then looked to his shoulder and at Phal. “Summon my generals, little brother… at least those that are still with me. We will be in my office.” He watched as the little dragon took off and then turned, looking over those with him. “Lets us see what we can do to save this world.”

[Alais d Nitesong]

Ozy took in Tass' objection to his recommendation, re-calculating the odds of defending the manor, but saying no more.

Alais knew Tass didn't have the Third, but she needed him to understand that if she was going to send the Annaran contingent back to the 6th level, she was going to need that book. It was the sum of the three that would do it, and without it, she might be able to take them out of the fight, but she couldn't remove them.

So the manor would be their base of operations. It seems too obvious, but Tass knew where his power lay.

What she wouldn't give for her mirror from Matlal!

[Alais d Nitesong]

Ozymandias felt it important that we have an idea of how many we were facing, and I agree with him. As Tass invited us into his study to plan our defense and the re-taking of his world, Ozy flew off.

The automaton spent the next several hours over flying Kadir, Matlal, and finally Odhran.

As each minute dragged on, I worried for the sentient automaton. Technically, he has no soul for these things to steal, and even if he were
captured, they'd have to destroy Ozy rather than be able to turn him, but I
do not wish him to come to harm. Ozy is all that remains of Uly aside from the starfire ring I wear.

At length Ozy returned. He had singe marks on some of his golden alloy exterior, but he was otherwise unharmed. His news however was daunting! The automaton's voice relayed what he'd seen, and his extrapolations from those actual sightings.

"On Kadir: Undead forces estimated at 82,000 with at least 400 demons of various types and sorts. Dracoliches predicted at 340.

Matlal: undead forces in excess of 110,000, highest concentration appears in that island right now. Demons here number in excess of 1100, with dracoliches in excess of 900. Main leadership housed on Matlal at this time.

Odhran: undead fluctuating, but best estimates on presence around 43,000, with varying numbers of demons estimated at this time to number between 400-500 as they fan out and seek space of their own once clearing the tear from Riverbend. Dracoliches here number fewer than 200."

Ozy continued, "Please keep in mind that these numbers are based on encampments, observations, and raiding parties I have seen. Numbers are not an accurate census report.

Further on Matlal there are several compounds where dragons are being held. Conditions are poor, and the captives are not being treated well. Estimated dead for the dragon population based on unburied remains, over 6300. There were no traces of human or elven remains found."

I glanced toward Tass as Ozy relayed what he'd seen.

[Tasslehofl Momus]

He listened quietly as Alais’ automaton spouted the numbers. He knew that there were far more than what the little thing described, but the numbers were daunting enough to give the general gist to the rest that were there.

When Ozy concluded the stats, he lowered his head, and sighed. It was hard trying to concentrate when he knew that his wife and daughter were missing. He could not believe that they were captured, or worse, dead. If that were so, then that would mean… He would take every precaution necessary now.

It was soon enough that the generals arrived, those that were still alive and free, at least. He eyed each as they entered. The Red, Smaug; the Blue, Possia; the Green, Nallur; the Brown, Regul; and the Bronze, Ruug. Garl remained missing so the Silvers were not represented, and Banith, the Black general was reported dead. He glanced around and quickly found the solutions to both.

Stepping to the door, he firmly closed it just as Phal entered and landed on Tass’ shoulder. Then, carefully, he sealed the room. No word uttered in this place would catch to the winds, nor would it be heard by any other ear than those within. Turning, he eyed each in turn once more, then addressed them.

“As you can see, Banith and Garl are not here to represent their colors. As Banith is dead, Sai Jon” he lifted a hand, and motioned towards the man, “will be the new general to the Blacks. And as Garl is missing, Alais will stand his place.”

Quickly, murmurs and muttering flew into the air from the other generals over the pronouncement of two outsiders leading dragons. “Enough!” Tass’s temper was on edge already. He had no time for this foolish and petty bickering. “Alais will stand in Garl’s stead. The Silvers have been working with her, and they trust her. And until Garl is found dead, I will not replace him. Sai Jon, on the other hand, is being raised due to his knowledge, knowledge that most of you would be dwarfed with.” He would not explain the other reason. The time was not right, and when it was, Sai Jon would be the one to show them… when he finally knew what was happening as well.

[Kor Jon]

Sai Jon ignored the whispered curses from Jacob as the the little robot spouted more and more depressing estimates. Perhaps the dragon generals would have better news.

The dragon generals arrived and Tass began the meeting, Sai Jon studied the map before him. There was something familiar about the way Malchor was running his invasion. He was concentrating so hard that he hadn't noticed Tass talking until he heard his name spoken. He raised his head to find the dragon lord pointing at him “...will be the new general to the Blacks. And as Garl is missing, Alais will stand his place.” Sai Jon had about as many objections as the dragons did but Tass squelched the dissent quickly.

He glanced back at Saltera who just shot him a tight grin. Sai Jon sighed and looked back down at the map. There was a pattern but he couldn't quite see it. His mind was absorbed in the problem to the point that he didn't even think to ask if there was a order to a meeting like this. "Where are our forces now."

The generals all began speaking at once but one look from Tass silenced them. The red called Smaug finally spoke up, "We have taken serious casualties. Currently we have a little over six thousand troops. Maybe five thousand are uninjured enough to fight."

"So five thousand against..." he looked to the robot.

"Approximately two hundred and forty thousand humanoid combatants." Ozy piped up.

"Well a war of attrition is definitely out," Tobias whispered. He too had begun to stare at the map intently. "Old man, look at the position of the encampments for a second."

Suddenly Sai Jon saw it. He cursed loudly and stepped back, that's when he noticed that everyone in the room was staring at him. "We've seen this before. There are beings, like your enemy general, who invade other worlds to steal the worlds power, it's life force. They use objects of power to drain the world of it's power and bend it to their will. We can't take them in a straight up fight but if we can destroy his method for gathering power it will help. Also we brought along a few surprises, Jacob." Jacob stepped forward and with a grunt hefted a large metal case up onto the table. He opened it revealing twelve small metal cylinders well packed in the foam. "These will destroy everything around them in about a five mile radius, we just need to get the enemy to concentrate his forces and drop this in the center of his formations."

"And how do you intend to do that?" Ruug growled.

Sai Jon looked up at him, "By making him think we're stupid." The dragons just looked at him. "Ok, we know we can't win a head to head fight, but if we can trick them into thinking we're dumb enough or proud enough to try it, then we can get them to swarm us. The tricky part is making sure we're not in range when these things go off." He looked around, "any ideas?" That's when the planning began. Several hours later they still were working.

Finally Tass called a halt for dinner despite the fact that they had worked well past that time. He unsealed the room and several servants hurried in with food laden platters.

The servants were on the way out when one of them stopped in the doorway. She said several words in a harsh language that Sai Jon didn't recognize and a sharp pain lanced through his body. The servant turned as her head split in half followed by the rest of her body splashing blood and entrails over everyone. A dark mist rose from the steaming carnage and formed into a humanoid shape with blazing red eyes.

"Ahh, welcome home dragon lord. I hope you don't mind that I made myself comfortable in your absence." Tass growled, "You really must allow me to make you dinner sometime, you wife has enjoyed several meals with me. She wasn't very receptive at first but it's amazing what you'll eat if you become hungry enough, she held out for quite a while actually. You are a lucky beast, she really is quite beautiful. I was waiting for you to return before I expressed that to her though, I wasn't sure if you'd hear the screams from another world. Across this one you should be able to though." it turned to Alais, "But you have another elf woman here who should be able to keep you sated. Just imagine the things I'm doing to your friend and just know that I'll be thinking of you. It's been a long time mage, soon we'll be together for a long time" Without warning, Jacob raised his shotgun and fired into the figure to no effect. "Ahh and the Guardians." The figured turned it's gaze to Sai Jon, "You might want to keep your pet on a leash, though considering your past maybe you're the rabid one. Yes I know of you and I have a friend who is just dying to taste your blood as it drains from your veins. Come and get me, we're waiting for you." And the mist evaporated.

"Malchor I presume?" Saltera asked without really needing an answer.

[Alais d Nitesong]

Malchor!

The face of the Annaran General who had brought so much depravity and horror into Annaran life as something 'normal'. My blood froze in my veins as he addressed me personally. Here was an abomination I believed I had seen the last of years ago.

Malchor had Tass' wife, and I know the depths of depravity to which she was being subjected. I have seen first hand what Malchor is capable of doing. I would not tell Tass of Malchor's history. There is no point in causing him even more pain. His worst nightmares cannot approach what Malchor is capable of doing. In fact, I have to wonder if trying to save her is in HER best interest. They say hope springs eternal, but Tass' wife is elven, and I know Malchor. The torment he is inflicting on her could break her into someone Tass will no longer recognize.

With Malchor leading the army desecrating Tass' world, I must send the Annaran contingent back right away. They may be only 30 or 40% of the invaders, but Malchor has to go. The memories of my time in Annara flooded back. The night Morrin came home to the depraved 'sport' Malchor had provided for the jaded and decadent Annaran people. The night that pushed Morrin to that final desperate act. Only now it appears it was not as final as we'd planned.

Malchor's threat to me was clear as he tormented Spike, he would be remembering my part in his damnation, and apparently he meant to drag me into his world. "Just imagine the things I'm doing to your friend and just know that I'll be thinking of you. It's been a long time mage, soon we'll be together for a long time."

I didn't need to imagine. I know.

I took a deep breath as Malchor taunted us, "Come and get me, we're waiting for you."

Resolve hardened into my stomach.

Tass had charged me earlier tonight with working as the Silver's General in Garl's absence. I looked at Sai Jon, "I think I know how to convince them we plan to face them head on; to convince them we're foolish enough to try."

I'm not a combat veteran, but I know enough about creating a diversion, and I laid my plan out for those assembled.

"Tass, if I may, I need a powerful mage with me. It took both Morrin and I to send the Annarans into Hell the first time. Alone, I doubt I could send them all back simultaneously, but with a sorcerer to act as anchor as I did all those years ago, I know I can return the Annarans. We set up a clear message for Malchor of what I am about to do. Make it clear. Rattle the memories of the Annaran contingent. They know I am capable. Let them prepare to swarm me to stop my casting. Let them congregate while Sai Jon and his team lay in wait with their metal cylinders. The combined effect of sending the Annarans back - albeit reluctantly and the devices there, we should be able to make a large impact on their numbers in a short period of time."

I glanced at Sai Jon. He'd said we would need to be about 10km away when those went off, but it would not be possible for that other sorcerer and I. In fact, I may be replacing Morrin in more ways than one.

Slowly I turned to study Tass. "Please make sure that any sorcerer you assign is clearly understanding that our odds of surviving that action are - well - not very promising."

Closing my eyes tightly, "Gentlemen, Malchor is Annaran." Sai Jon would know the meaning of that pronouncement. Tass and the others would not - for only Sai Jon had seen those memories I'd buried for so very long.

[Kor Jon]

Saltera looked to Sai Jon, this Malchor seemed to be familiar to Alais and him and Saltera could guess how. "Milady, I can help. I'm familiar with several banishment rituals and have performed them numerous times." He paused before adding, "Tobias is also proficient." Saltera knew that Sai Jon would be staring daggers at him for that last bit but he kept his eyes on Alais, "We can aid you." He waited for Alias' response. It was a suicide mission, she had said as much, but he knew this might be this worlds only hope so he prayed Sai Jon would stay quiet. Finally Saltera glanced at Sai Jon. His eyes had turned black and his jaw was clenched but he said nothing and stared at the wall waiting. Several of the dragons were watching him warily. Saltera wondered again what the strange curse had done to his brother.

[Tasslehofl Momus]

He stood there quietly, and took in all that was thrown at him. Malchor's taunts.. Alais' pronouncement.. Saltera's volunteering.

So this was the filth that had his wife. Just his wife. He had learned that by listening. His daughter was still free. In that, there was hope...

He turned his attention to the door's, sealing them tightly once more. It was obvious that his home had been infultrated. Seeing that task done, he turned once more and leaned back against the door.

His voice was soft when he finally spoke. "No, Saltera. You will be needed here, as will Tobias. There is another job that needs be done that my bretheren will need help with. We need find my daughter. She is still loose. My wife has the power to command the barriers that surround us, though she knows nothing of it. My daughter, however, does have the knoweldge. She needs to be found."

He lifted his head then, and looked at Alais. "If my understanding is correct, I will not allow another to sacrifice themselves for this place." He grew quiet, knowing that there would be an uproar with his next pronouncement. "I will be your anchor. I will be death."

[Alais d Nitesong]

Saltera spoke up, telling me that both he and Tobias would be proficient, but proficient wasn't what I needed. I needed a mage with strong skills, strong enough to be the anchor for the banishing I would do. I needed someone who could learn Annaran spells quickly. Besides, while I know Saltera would stand at my side for the dangers here, it was he and Tobias and Jacob that were part of Sai Jon's contingent and knew more about fighting and how to hit them hard with those odd looking cylinders.

"Saltera, I appreciate your offer, but will you not be needed more to use those?" pointing at the cylinders. I could not look Saltera in the eyes for that final casting and fade from his sight knowing he would be blown to bits by those cylinders because he couldn't get a safe distance away.

Tass spoke up then, confirming my suspicion that his friends were more needed elsewhere. He re-directed them toward seeking his daughter. I would not want to be responsible for their deaths. We may all die, but we all chose to be here.

Tass' next words stopped my world, "If my understanding is correct, I will not allow another to sacrifice themselves for this place. I will be your anchor. I will be death."

I cannot allow Tass to stand in my old place and not be able to escape Sai Jon's tools. Tass was needed to direct the defense of the Emerald Isles. "Nay Tass. You are needed here. You ARE the isles, and the odds for what I propose will not be for you. It must be another, a volunteer that understands the risks."

I leveled argentine eyes on my old friend. "Another Tass, not you."

[Kor Jon]

Sai Jon finally spoke up but his voice was cold and business like, "Jacob can handle the explosives and Tobias will help him. Saltera can help you Alais, he's one of the strongest mages I've ever worked with." he turned to Tass, "As for finding your daughter, you are more attuned to the girl and would be much more suited. Besides, getting you killed will do nothing to help the morale of your people. You need to be worried about all of them right now not just your own pain. We're here and are willing to die for your world and your people because that is what we do, don't worry about us we've been through worse. Saltera can do the job...besides, I've been Death, it's really not very much fun." Sai Jon and Saltera shared a grim smile.

[Alais d Nitesong]

"I have become Death"

Those words repeated themselves in my mind as Sai Jon offered Saltera as my anchor. Didn't they understand? Whomever stood opposite me for this would never escape the explosion.

Ozy blinked as Sai Jon told Tass that he was needed for his people. "Lord Momus, the successful outcome of this conflict would be enhanced if you were to remain alive to lead your forces. The probability of escaping the explosive power of the devices here are less than 1:11,465,019"

I shot Ozy a silencing glare. The last thing I want is for him to point out the probability of mortality for this diversion.

As I listened to Tass and Sai Jon's arguments, Ozy was busy doing timing calculations. No one had argued the logic of my diversion and plan to get the hordes to swarm. Good. If we can lure them into amassing to attempt to take us out while we seek to banish the Annarans, the loss of 2 would be worth it.

One Annaran remained behind the first time, and with that Annaran remained Daemonbane and the books. Would this time be different? If no Annaran's remained behind, would those last items finally be removed? Could I finally destroy Daemonbane? The prospect has made me realize that I must finally take up that accursed blade. Wield it as Morrin had.

I wonder if Khirsah had seen this moment of realization.

I wonder.

[Kor Jon]

1 to 11,465,019...

Sai Jon looked at Saltera and their eyes met, the smile was gone from both of them. Finally Saltera nodded and turned back to Alais, "I understand. We do this and most likely neither of us comes back. How long will it take you to prepare and what do you need from me?"

Jacob started to say something but one look from Sai Jon stopped him cold. "It's settled then. Do what you need to in order to prepare," Sai Jon didn't wait to hear any objections before he began to list their objectives, "We'll need to pick the battleground carefully and in time it takes to gather our forces we need to find out where they have Tass' wife and free any of the prisoners we can."

"Recon again?" Jacob asked, uncommonly subdued.

"Yes, I need to know what's different from this map...a valley where we can focus their forces will work." Jacob nodded. "And take about a half a dozen dragons that can understand demonic and can take orders. Get as many prisoners free as you can. If we break the prison camps it will distract their forces as well as bolster our forces if they are in even marginal condition. Even if we succeed in taking the Annarans out of the equation this is really going to be tough as outnumbered as we are."

Sai Jon waited for comments but no one seemed to want to interupt, "Ok, then Tobias and I try and break down Malchor's power base by taking out his method for sucking up the worlds power. The rest of you gather everyone who is still free inside the wards of the Manor. I don't want to lose another dragon until it's time to send these abominations back where they belong." Sai Jon paused and looked hard at Tass. He had to get Tass past the pain or they would all be in trouble, "We'll be going into the middle of Malchor's realm, we'll get your wife out, you find your daughter. We have all the threats we need already." Tass nodded slightly. Sai Jon looked at the rest of them, "Ok then get moving."

Sai Jon watched them leave the room. They were already tired and this had barely begun. Just before she reached the door Sai Jon called after Alais. She waited for a moment and Sai Jon hesitated until the others were all gone, "I know you don't want anyone else to die but we've been at this a long time...sometimes the price is worth it. Saltera won't let you down."