aYeah, so what are we going to do with Thump?a Shilo asked.

Odif shot him a glare. aHis name is Eric!a aHe might be Eric,a Scorpio reminded her. aHow will we know if he is?a aSam can get into his mind and find out,a she told him.

Sam shook her head. aOh, no, not again. When he comes to, Iam hiding. I canat stress this enough--he really wants me dead.a aWell, the question right now is, whoas going to carry him?a Scorpio asked. aWe need to keep moving before anyone finds us.a Frieda motioned to Shilo. aCarry him, stay behind me. Sam, you keep in the front so he canat see you.a Sam gripped Scorpioas arm and looked at him pleadingly. He patted her hand and tried to smile. aDonat worry, Iall keep him away from you.a aI hope so,a she said weakly.

Shilo gave a huff and hoisted the unconscious man across his shoulders with Odifas help. He winced as she accidentally pinned one of his wings to his back, but managed to free it without damage. aWhy do I get the dead weight?a aShut up, thatas my father,a she snapped.

Shilo settled the weight across his shoulders. aCould be your father,a he stressed.

aLetas move,a Frieda scolded.

They traveled long enough for hunger to start gnawing at them. They passed two more illusion-disguised entrances, which Entaurus turned into rock before they went on. A few hundred yards farther, the passage opened up into a natural cave. A split showed one side went on and the other angled up. Investigating, they found the one that angled up only went another bowshot before it ended.

Tired and hungry, they went up the dead end. Hutch discovered airflow from thin cracks in one wall. This time, Jo-Jo sealed them in so they could rest without being disturbed. Odif made a bright yellow light, splashing it onto an overhead stalagmite, causing the rock to glow.

aWe wonat suffocate, and we can make a fire,a Hutch said cheerily.

aHot food!a Theo grinned.

Frieda shook her head. aNo fire. We do nothing else to attract attention.a Much to their dismay, they sat down to cold jerky and hard bread. As they ate, Shilo sat cross-legged by the man he called Thump. Every now and then, head give him a poke to see if he was coming around. Sam sat behind Scorpio and Odif, staying quiet and doing her best to mask her presence. Theo and Hutch settled down by Shilo.

Hutch picked up Thumpas axe and hefted it. The heavy blades were curved around to touch at the top, and the metal shone as bright as silver. aThis is a real good axe,a he said, turning it over. aThe handle has bloodstains, but thereas not a chip in the blade.a Shilo shrugged. aMaybe he bled on it.a aItas magic, I can sense it from here,a Jo-Jo told him.

Tracing a scrape in the handle, Hutch showed it to Theo. aWhat you think, stone or bone?a Theo inspected it. aBone, definitely.a Gloredaniel cast a look at the man. aHow can we tell who this is?a aWhen he wakes up, Iall ask him,a Shilo said then poked him again. aHey, Thump, you got a name?a aShilo, stop that!a Odif growled. She got up and walked over, plopping herself between them. She stroked the manas hair, her eyes boring into the winged man. aI will talk to him when he wakes up.a aGood luck,a he snorted.

He heard the voices and came awake when he was poked. He didnat know what torture it had for him this timea"it had never done anything like this before. This was a new trick. It couldnat buy him with riches and hadnat broken him with torture. He felt the hand on his head--was it going to try to seduce him again?

Instead of moving, he lay still and tried to absorb what was being said. The voices sounded human, except one female. That one was lighter and familiar, like someone head once known. The conversation came and went in spurts, but he got the idea they were hunting for something. A man said something about he couldnat be the one, but they had to rescue him, anyway. Another man called him Thump.

Rescue? That had to be it. The demon was trying to make him believe someone had come here to free him. She had tried everything to make him break the pact by force, now she had sunk to a new low. The knot on his wrists was within reach. He thought about the pact, all the things he couldnat do. The demon was devious, but now it had made a mistake. He could not hurt her minions, but nothing stopped him from hurting her. He ran the pact through his mind over and over to make sure he didnat make a mistake that could get his family killed as he slowly worked at the knot.

He stopped as someone poked him again. aHey, Thump, you with us yet, buddy?a aShilo, enough!a a woman said and slapped the one who had spoken to him.

He kept still until he was sure they were back to talking then slipped one wrist out of the ropes. He couldnat reach his feet without moving. He would have to play along with the game long enough to get those free.

He had been in pain so long that a crack in the head was of almost no consequence; but he groaned loudly and shifted, curling his feet up so his hands could reach the rope.

Excitement filled the cave. The people by him jumped up, someone told another head protect her. He opened his eyes to face two dark men holding battleaxes ready to strike. On one side of them was a muscular woman in skimpy, tattered clothes and on the other side a man with wings. A stocky woman in brown robes and a man in a blue one embroidered with silver designs blocked his view of the others. Two more, a man and a small woman with pointed ears came closer to help block his view.

The woman in tattered shorts and shirt moved cautiously towards him, holding out one hand as if to keep him still. aWe are friends, we mean you no harm.a Yeah, right. aWho are you?a The woman knelt in front of him. She had the nerve to look anxious as she said, aIam your daughter, Odif. This is Theo, Hutch, Shilo...a He listened as she went on. He glanced at the people as she introduced them but paid more attention to the chamber. It looked larger, but was still the same closed-off box he had always been in. Beyond the robes of the line of people, he saw two more pairs of feet farther back. One set was metal-shod, as a knightas would be; the other wore leather.

aWhoare they?a he asked, nodding towards them.

aTwo of my friends,a Odif explained. aI need your help. Can we trust you?a aSure.a They could trust him--until he worked his feet free.

Slowly, she started to reach behind his back as she watched him. aI am going to untie you, stay calm.a He nodded, carefully plotting his move. He could not hurt them, and he wasnat going to.

When she was bending over his knees to reach his hands, he sprang into action. Jerking the rope loose, he brought up a leg and planted a foot in her chest. Her face registered surprise as she sailed backwards into the robed men. She was quick--she grabbed his leg but only ripped off a piece of pants leg in her flight.

Scooping up two handfuls of dirt, he threw them at the robed women and dark men. As the dirt flew, he pushed off the wall and tackled the winged man.

One of the two he couldnat see had to be the demon. Battling his way up, he grabbed the elven female by the front of her robe. Despite being hauled around, she gripped his arm and spoke a few strong words. Pain filled his arm as electric arcs shot from her fingers. He ignored the pain and swung her around to send her flying back into the men trying to grab him. The one called Odif was on her feet and running at him. Directly ahead, an armored man stood in front of someone, brandishing his sword. He caught sight of a piece of leathery wing--there it was!

He dove for the man, grabbing the top and bottom edges of his armor. The man stabbed him deep in the stomach. Odif and the demon screamed. He echoed the scream, planting his feet to fling the man into Odif.

It stood before him, wide-eyed and screeching a terrified howl. He jerked the sword from his stomach and grabbed the demon by her hair. Twisting around so his back was to the wall, he put the sword to her throat and pressed.

aYou want to see it die?a he growled.

Odif was getting to her feet again, as was Scorpio. They all gaped at him, fear in their eyes.

He jerked the demonas head back and pressed the blade in far enough that blood appeared. aShow me the way out, now!a The heavy-set woman straightened and looked him in the eye. aYou will put that down, and let her go.a aYou must think me a fool!a he spat. aShow me the way out or Iall give you its head!a aNo!a Odif yelled, stepping closer. aWe are your friends--please, trust me.a He bent the demonas head back and growled in its ear. aTrust, huh? Let me out or die here.a The demon kept up her disguise well. Shivering in fear, she blubbered, aI canat! Please donat kill me!a aThat is not the demon!a Scorpio cried. aThat is Sam, her daughter.a He had to grin at how foolish the man sounded. aMy daughter, its daughter--couldnat you come up with better lies than that?a aItas the truth!a Odif cried. aLet her go, and let us help you. Youare bleeding to death.a Death, now there was an amusing thought. aThen maybe I should kill it now.a The brown-robed woman pointed at him and spoke firmly. aBy Leighnaas light, let her go!a He felt his hands twitch. For a second, his grip loosened. In that second, the demon grabbed his sword arm and pushed, slipping out from under his grasp. He tried grabbing her, but she flew into Shiloas arms. The dark men closed in front of her, and the robed men now faced him. Odif came at him from the left. He swung too soon on purpose, slamming the sword into the wall. His bluff worked, she stopped and backed off.

The demon was now wrapped in Shiloas embrace, crying hysterically. Her minions closed around her, watching him. Any chance he had of getting to her was gone. The only good thing was that no one was coming close.

Odif moved to face him, her arms out to the sides. He followed her with his sword but kept his eyes open for trouble from the group. Behind her, the man in armor tried to pull her back.

aGet away from him!a he said, pulling on one arm.

Odif twisted free. aGet back!a she barked. Moving slowly towards him, she kept her arms out, even though he pointed his sword at her heart. aPlease, listen to me.a He laid the tip of his sword over her left breast. aDonat move,a he growled.

She swallowed hard but didnat back off. aI know you will not kill me.a Of course, it would have told them to let him hurt them. He couldnat kill her. He couldnat even cut her. The way she acted, though, she wasnat sure if he would or not. Maybe this was part of the game. If they let on somehow that this was a trick then they couldnat get him to believe it.

aGive me one good reason why.a Odif spoke slowly. aI am your daughter. We have come to destroy the demon that held you prisoner.a aDamn it, Odif, get away from him!a the man in armor cried.

The way the man said it, he was truly afraid Eric was going to kill her. The deception made him grin. aYou really want me to believe this isnat a trick.a aThis is no trick,a she stated.

The man in the blue robe with silver symbols took a step forward, glaring at him. aYou hurt her, and I will kill you!a He returned the glare. aDo it!a Odif turned her head. aNo! Entaurus, back off!a aEnough games!a he roared, which made Odif spin back to him. aWhatas next?a he snapped. aMore little knives if I donat go along with you?a Odif studied him for a few seconds. Her face softened, becoming sad. aYou donat believe weare friends, and nothing we can do will convince you.a aConvince me by leaving.a aI know what holds you,a she said quietly. aMy brother, your son, is dead. Your wife is safe in Tolina. The demon no longer has any power over you.a He pushed the sword enough to dent her skin. aThen nothing is lost if I run you through?a Odif stiffened herself. aOnly that I will die. If that is what it takes to convince you Iam telling the truth then so be it,a She reached up and moved the point more towards the center of her chest, laying the tip on bare skin. aRight here, youall split my heart. That seems only right.a In a chorus of cries, some shouted for her to get away, others pleaded for her life. She didnat move; she just looked him in the eye, waiting to be killed. It was all very convincing, but he wasnat going to be taken in. His memory was nothing but spotted dreams and nightmares, a collection of images from his tortured mind and bits of lies the demon had fed him. The only thing he felt was right was that, somewhere, he did have a wife. The elven woman reminded him of someone, possibly her. The woman in front of him was far too tall and muscular to be the child of an elf.

aIf I got a daughter, you ainat her,a he said quietly. He slid along the wall, distancing himself from her and the others. aIave had enough of this.a He flipped the sword around to point at his own chest then fell forward. Odif screamed and dove for him. She knocked him to the side and kicked the handle of the sword so it fell flat. Before he could grab for it, she kicked it away then dove on him. He grappled with her, trying to get her off. For a woman, she was incredibly strong. She got behind him and struggled to pin his arms behind his back as she called for the others to help her.

More of them piled on him as he struggled to get away. He knew what always happened after its tricks. Chains and more torture waited if he was awake enough to scream. He vowed not to be. Flailing about, he got one arm free and shoved up hard, gaining his knees. Four people were on him now, and the rock jutted out of the floor just ahead. He shoved with both legs and a scream of determination. He and the pile on him lurched and came down hard. His aim was good--the rock caught him on the side of the head, the weight on him did the rest.

Odif shoved Scorpio and Hutch off Eric. She rolled him over and laid her hand over the bloody side of his head. Mending his cracked skull then his stomach, seemed easy. She thought briefly about bringing him to consciousness then decided against it.

aI donat believe it,a Scorpio panted weakly. aI ran him through, did you see? I ran him through and it didnat even slow him down.a aI sent lightning through his arm, and look how much good that did,a Gloredaniel huffed. aI donat even think he felt it.a Hutch sat up to glare at Odif. aAnd you heal him so he can do it again!a Odif glared back at him. aWe have to make him understand!a Frieda sighed and folded her arms over her chest. aSo much for not drawing attention to ourselves.a aYou do not understand!a Sam wailed from Shiloas embrace. She held her bleeding neck, her face white with terror. aThat man has been here a long time! Look at him--he is covered with scars. Pain no longer means anything to him.a She sent a mental picture to Odif. aI once saw someone who was tortured so long he didnat even know it when she cut him open. She roasted him alive, and he was happy to be dying. This man is in the same condition!a Odif gasped. The others didnat see the image, but they still winced at Samas description.

aHow long do you think heas been down here?a Jo-Jo asked.

Sam gazed at him. She got the feeling what she was saying was starting to sink in. aTo build up resistance to pain like that, many years.a aPossibly twenty?a he asked, thinking of the knightsa failed attempt many years before.

aIf someone has done something to anger her enough, that is quite possible,a Sam said. Looking at Odif she added, aTake a good look at him--that could be our fate.a Odif sat thinking. aIf he has been down here that long then he canat be my father. Erica is only just over a year old, and the attack on King Alderlanas caravan was about two years ago.a Disappointment filled her. She thought she had found the key to defeating the demon. All they had found was a mad knight. Silently, she cursed herself and Thump for not being who she thought he was.

aThe Knights of Paladnia used to wear shirts like what heas got on,a Gloredaniel offered. aThere is still the question of what to do with him.a Odif took a deep breath. aIall take care of him and see he doesnat hurt anyone.a Scorpio laid a hand on her arm. aIam sorry heas not your dad. I was kind of hoping he was.a She gave him a half-smile. aMe, too.a ***

He awoke in another cave. This one was open on the end. Through the opening, he saw bits of light here and there high up. Below, a smooth dark surface reflected the lights. The reflections shimmered as small wavelets passed. He was bound tightly, not just his hands and feet this time but the length of his forearms where they crossed, his upper arms to his chest and the entire length of his legs wrapped tight. There would be no freeing himself this time.

In the cave with him were two people. The outline of one told him it was Odif. The other he wasnat sure about, but he thought it was the demon. He just had time to register these things when Odif looked over at him.

aSam, heas awake. Join the others.a The demon got up to leave, and he made out the stubby wings on its back. Odif got up and moved over to sit by him. aHow are you feeling?a He didnat answer, so she kept on. aI healed you, and Iam the one who tied you up. Weave been traveling most of a day, though down here itas hard to tell.a She pulled at a loop of rope on his chest. aWe carried you by this. Iam glad you didnat wake up when we went through the other cavern. We killed a few hoarcs, but I donat think they know we came this way. From what I can tell, they still think weare down in the southern caverns.a aLet me guess--youare going to drive me insane with endless chatter,a he sneered.

She looked down at him and shook her head. aNo, but I will sit here and make you understand that we are not your enemy.a aThen stick me with knives.a Odif dropped her head in her hands then combed her hair back with a groan. aI know it must be tough to believe anything. I want to try something, but I will need your cooperation.a He looked around to see if anyone else was in the cave with them. Towards the back, he thought he saw a wall in the gloom but wasnat sure. If only there werenat so many damn ropes on him, he might be able to do something.

aWill it hurt to talk to me?a aMight.a He noted that he wasnat near anything he could use for leverage. He had no way to fight or defend himself.

aCan you tell me who you are?a He looked at her--that was a good question. He knew pain and the demonas tricks, but he had lost his identity. What his name was, or even if he had one, he didnat know.

aNo,a he said quietly.

She touched his cheek. aYou donat know, do you?a aAll I know is pain. It comes, and no matter what it promises or how nice it speaks, the visit always ends in pain. Just as this will,a he stated.

Odif looked down at his emotionless face. His eyes held a defiance that said no matter how many times he was hurt he would never give in. aHow long have you been here?a aCanat remember anything else. You tell me.a aIall try, if you let me,a she offered. She leaned over him. The soft look on her face, the way her hair hung down to tickle his cheeks, even the soft touch of her hands on his face felt very comforting. He looked up at her and began to feel something. He started thinking about the place he had been kept then the time the thing had taken him to a hot bath and given him good food. Too late, he realized she was in his head.

This was a trick! He remembered when it had come to him before, acting very soft and nice. It had made itself look very attractive and kissed him, trying to arouse him. He forced himself back to see the woman above him as just another enemy. He glared at her. aI will never break!a Odif jerked back as she was thrown out of his head. The latent image of the demon seducing him stayed with her. aDear Goddess, she did that to you?a aIam not fool enough to have it happen twice,a he growled. aGo tell that thing it will never, ever win.a aThatas right, it wonat,a she agreed. aI came to kill it.a He gave a snorting laugh. aYeah, right.a aYou want it dead, I want it dead. Why canat you see Iam on your side?a she asked. aYou could have killed me, but you didnat. Somewhere inside, you know Iam telling the truth.a This was becoming another game, and he wasnat going to play. aI canat hurt you because you work for it. I swore never to hurt any of its minions, you know that! I never gave such a promise not to hurt the thing itself. If youare on my side then bring it here.a Sam walked in, staying clear of his reach. She sent a thought to Odif to let her speak. Odif looked at her and nodded. She stood at his feet, looking into his hate-filled eyes.

aYou are correct, we were its minions. I was to trick you, find out everything you knew then cast you back into your cell; but not until you fully understood everything we promised would never happen.a aI knew it!a he growled in triumph.

aI want more than to be second-best,a she added. aI want its power. Like you, I took an oath--I cannot kill it,a She squatted at his feet to get as close as she dared. aI need you to do that for me. I get you there; you kill it. Once it is dead, weall see what happens next.a Of all the stories he had been fed, this was the most believable. That also meant it was too good to be true. aHow can I know youare not lying?a Sam traced her neck where he had cut her. aYou cut me, do you remember? If I were still the demonas minion then you would no longer be able to resist. You would have broken your word. If I were the demon herself, I wouldnat waste my time hauling you through these caverns.a His mouth dropped open. She was right. The demon had told him he would know if he broke the pact. He had cut her, and yet the pact wasnat broken. aWhy do you trust me?a aI donat,a she stated. aI am afraid of you. You tried to kill me once, and there is nothing that can stop you from doing it again.a aSo, why bother telling me this?a aI canat win without you. The other evil things we can destroy, but not her.a aI canat raise a hand to help,a he told her.

aAgainst the other minions, no. We clear the path and get you to her. Then sheas all yours. I will stay by you, and any time you feel Iave trapped you you can kill me.a OK, this was starting to make sense. He flicked his eyes at Odif. aWhoas she, really?a aMy sister.a That made sense to him. aAnd the others?a aMercenaries, others who want me to be in charge. They will not betray us.a He tried to think of any way the thing could be making this happen. He couldnat find one. He had cut the demon in front of him, and he hadnat broken his pact. Compared to the other, she didnat seem that powerful. In fact, she looked a bit scared. This might be an act, but if he was to ever have a chance at truly being free this might be the only one.

aAll right. Iall help you try to kill it. Trick me, and your head will be on the floor before you know you lost it.a aFair enough,a she said with a squeak then nodded to Odif. She left as Odif started removing his bonds. He lay still until he was free then sat and rubbed the sore spots while she gathered up the rope. He noticed that he felt much better; nowhere did he hurt. He was just weak from being chained for so long. He started to get up, but Odif stopped him.

aWait, weare not finished here yet,a she told him.

Sitting back down, he waited. When she was done with the rope, she squatted before him. aI thought you were someone youare not. Sam explained to me that you were hurt for so long pain no longer affected you, even when Scorpio ran you through.a aYeah,a he said, wondering what this was leading to.

aYouare weak from captivity. I have a ritual to make you stronger, but you must cooperate,a she explained. aIt does involve sex, and you have to react naturally. I am not seducing you. Iam only trying to help our chances at success.a aWhat are our chances?a aPoor,a she admitted. aUnless we do find my father, weall probably all be killed.a aI ainat afraid to die.a aMe, either,a she sighed. Crossing her arms, she pulled the remains of her shirt up and over her head. aLetas use this ritual to live, just for the moment.a ***

Scorpio should have seen it coming. Sam returned to let them know Thump was going to help them. Lacking a better name for him, they went with what Shilo called him. Not long after Sam had settled down, Odifas first soft moans drifted from the cave. He tried not to hear it. Then Thumpas moans joined hers in a chorus. He gave it a few minutes of pretending not to hear as the noises slowly got louder.

At Odifas first cries of aYes! Yes!a he decided to go off for a while. Theo and Hutch went with him, smirks on their faces. Sam jumped up and came as well.

He walked around a curve, but the noises followed them. Looking back, he asked Sam, aYouare positive that Thump isnat her father, right?a Sam nodded. aShe told me my mother fed off him. When she feeds, she eats your soul. There is nothing left but the body.a The sounds were punctuated by a yelp. Right after that, a rougher male cry sounded. Scorpio thought about going back but noticed the cries hadnat stopped there. They had died down, but from the sounds of it, they were far from stopping.

aYou gotta be kidding,a he huffed. Not wanting to be too far from the group, he started to wander back, slowly.

He sat through another round of yelps and a screech of glee as he told Frieda there was nothing on the banks of the underground lake but bank. It was all he could do to keep from screaming at them to at least shut up. Focusing on the crude map Sam had drawn, he went over how they were going to get through the underground town, and everything everyone was tasked to do. Their plan was set. All they were waiting for was Odif and Thump to finally get worn out.

His head rested on her chest as he gasped for air. Her rapid heartbeat and the sound of her lungs filled his ear. She stroked him and asked breathlessly, aFeel better?a The sound of her voice echoed deep in her chest.

aYeah,a he gasped. aMuch better. Think we sealed the change?a aSealed it? I think we cast it in iron,a she chuckled.

He laughed with her then struggled up on one elbow. Looking down on her sweaty face, he was reminded of someone else long ago who had made him feel as good. He didnat remember what she looked like, only that she had been his whole world.

aIf we do survive, and I do get out of here, will you help me find my wife?a Shifting up on one elbow to face him, she grabbed his chin and shook it playfully. aIall do what I can. I have to meet the woman who can keep up with you.a He didnat know if she meant it, but the compliment sounded sincere. aThat was just the ritual, right?a aMust have been. Come on, we have to join the others now.a He did feel stronger; and despite wearing himself out, he felt refreshed. Other than a little shakiness in his legs, he felt like a new man. Untangling from her, he got his clothes on and followed her out. Only ten feet below the entrance, the rest of the group was gathered. All eyes except Scorpioas were on them as they picked their way down the bank.

Seeing Sam brought him back to why Odif had done what she did. He walked over to her and sat down. aYou know the deal. Whereas my axe?a aI got it,a Hutch said and handed him the weapon handle first.

aHey, Thump, you know whose side youare on, right?a Shilo asked cautiously.

Frowning, he asked, aThump?a aWe have to call you something,a Theo grinned.

Shilo waved a finger at him. aYou were called Thump back in the old days. Donat you remember when you used to get drunk and knock out horses? Thatas how you got the name.a aI did? Whatas my real name then?a Shilo shrugged. aAll I knew you by was Thump.a Odif shot Shilo a glare. aHe has a real name!a aDo you know what it is?a Shilo countered.

aThumpas fine.a He shrugged. What did it matter what he was called?

Shilo squeezed a fist and hissed, aYes!a aItas settled,a Frieda stated as she eyed Shilo. aThump, youall be just ahead of me, beside Scorpio...a aIam staying by her,a he said, indicating Sam.

aI should be in front, anyway,a Sam offered.

Frieda sighed. aScorpio, you are in charge of keeping any distractions away from Odif and I. Odif, you do nothing but keep the demon from casting magic. I will keep its other powers at bay until I can sprinkle it and the altar with holy water. Sam, you will stay by me. Thump, you can stay by Sam and protect us from the side...a aI canat do that,a he told her. aThe only thing I can do is attack the demon.a aHe canat harm anyone but my mother,a Sam explained. aWe have to keep him in the middle.a Thump frowned at her. aYour mother?a Sam nodded. aThatas right.a aWhoas your dad?a he asked, trying to imagine two demons.

aJust a man she tricked then tortured,a she replied. aWe are the only ones who can stop her.a aSo you can become like she is.a Samas nose flared. aNo, I will never be like her. I canat stand what she does to innocent men like you.a He partly felt like he was becoming involved in just another elaborate game. Some elements were not making any sense. However, he had cut her, and the pact wasnat broken. During their mating, Odif had restored his strength. He highly doubted the demon would let that happen. If these were, indeed, rebels then they were still his best chance.

He wasnat sure who was in charge here. So far, it seemed three people were. He shifted his gaze to Odif then the one they called Frieda. aLetas go kill it.a ***

Aliana stood staring at the chains hanging from the wall. Her food slave had escaped. By the hoarc dust on the floor, he had to have broken the pact, but she would have felt it if he did.

aImpossible,a she breathed. How in the abyss did he get away?

She went into the passage. Hoarc dust littered the floor out here, also. Besides the hoarc dust, she found a few bodies lying along the wall. Pulling one up by the hair, she saw it was elven. Throwing this one to the side, she checked the others. All three were elves. Picking one up, she looked at it closely. When she had found her daughter in the company of Odif, she was sure this one had been with them.

A smile crept onto her face--they were here.

Flying through the caves in spirit form, she found other traces of their passing. That arrogant bitch was planning to fight her in her own territory; she couldnat have planned this better herself!

She called the lead hoarcs together to block offshoot tunnels and start driving the intruders closer to her temple. In the underground city she had the main tunnel to her temple packed with defenders. She knew the druid would get through, but leaving it empty would arouse her suspicions. The vlaks at the entrance to her temple she sent into rooms to each side. Her worry wasnat that Odif and her band would get in, only that they might escape once she had them.

Her next stop was her throne room. She recalled Lura and Grief and sent for her best warriors. She was still waiting for Grief to show up when Lash came in, hobbling on a crutch.

His armor was dented and bloodied, and one leg was in splints. The men with him helped him to stand in front of her. He bowed his head and began rattling before she even acknowledged him.

aMaster, we have a serious problem at the lake. Our forces are being beaten back by large metal machines. We ambushed Zodiac, and his army was all but wiped out; then here come these things and--a aStop!a she commanded. aDid you kill Zodiac?a He paused. aYes, I unhorsed him then ran him down myself. He is the least of our worries!a She glared at him, which froze him in place. aDo you forget who you are speaking to?a aNo, Master,a he whined.

aWhat are these machines, and where did they come from?a Lash slowed his speech. aThey came from the east. There are larger ones and smaller ones, but every one shoots--we think theyare rocks, but they go so fast they kill anything. An entire regiment of cavalry was wiped out by two of them in the time it takes to blink your eye. We fought back with spears, but the spears didnat have any effect on them. The worst damage we did was to knock one of the smaller ones off its wheels. Vlaks didnat fare any better. The ones they didnat kill with rocks they just ran over!a aThey must have a weakness,a she insisted.

He waved an arm. aIam having a long trench dug at the north end of the lake, banking the dirt on our side. Those things look very heavy; we hope theyall get stuck trying to climb up the loose dirt walls.a aMaster, we still have dragons to attack from above,a one of the other men added.

Aliana lazily pointed a finger at the man. aYou, build the best defense you can. Let these machines come to you behind the trench Lash started. When they attack, send dragons at them from above. Make a raid tonight across the lake, find out what it will take to stop them.a aYes, Master,a the man said with a bow, and left.

aLura, take care of Lash and give him back his manhood. After youare done, bring him to the temple.a aYes, Master.a Lura bowed.