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Chapter 1 They rose out of the broiling heat like the phantasms of a writhing nightmare and washed across the gravelly road like the cold breeze on a winter night. Steadily they approached, paying no heed to the fact that they walked on enemy land. Proudly, they ignored the shocks and gasps that trailed in their wake and continued to barrel through the invisible barriers of normalcy that ruled the townsfolk's lives. Almost in defiance, they raised their banner high into the air, into the blistering heat and carried it forward like conquerors of a foreign land. In some ways they were, as their very footsteps sent tremors through the daily rigmarole's that plagued Solace's mornings. All could see the flag that heralded doom flash in the morning light. The grinning skull, the twining lily, and the ominous thorn, leered mockingly and defiantly at the shocked villagers. They came like the harbingers of destruction, bearing Death's standard, and trampled through the tangled fabric of peace that Solace had wrapped itself up in. The sun attacked the knights in their black plate mail armor, until the metal seemed to glow with a fiery luster, but still they marched coolly forward into the tree-village. Their armor, perhaps, frightened the villagers most of all. Styled like the Solamnic Knights of Good, these dark paladins wore plate mail the color of pitch, with symbols of death and destruction twining about the surface like the choking, rotting ivy on a caryatid column. Their helms were fashioned to resemble barbed skulls, complete with the leering faces of undeath. Despite the ravaging heat, they wore their armor well, showing only the macabre signs of evil that had become their trademark. The children forgot their play at the sight of the formidable knights. They fled from the dark knights in fear and scattered to the winds. The adults were slightly better at maintaining their composure. Dark frowns crossed many faces, as did hatred accompanied by blind rage. Many tightened their grips on their tools, hammers, axes, brooms, but remained silent and hateful. The knights took this in stride and assumed they were merely accolades to their rank and honor. Still, many a woman had to be led away after bursting into tears and many a man had to be held back from giving in to his uncontrollable rage. It was with this procession, a procession of hatred, of sorrow, and of bitterness, that the Knights of Takhisis entered Solace. The Legion of Steel, of course, knew of the Dark knight's arrival. Since their founding shortly after the Chaos War, the Legion of Steel made a commitment to the people of Krynn and to themselves to protect the world from the forces of darkness. Of course, the Knights of Takhisis were a significant power and made up much of the forces of darkness. Normally, the Legionnaire scouts that guarded the city of Solace would have stopped such a talon of knights. The dark knights would have been forced back well before they approached the towns' outer limits, but somehow these dark knights had slipped through their intricate web of scouts and rangers and entered the town. Grimly, Trevor Goldsmith ordered the Legionnaires to stop. Already itching for a fight, it took all of their willpower for the warriors to halt. Still, they kept their hands firmly tightened around the hilts' of their swords. He turned slightly over his shoulder and signaled sharply with his index finger. Silently, the Legionnaire archers stationed along the walkways that connected the various buildings of Solace drew their bows, but did not loose their arrows on their enemies. Slinking back into the various niches and shadows of the vallenwood trees, the deadly archers bided their time and watched their hated enemies approach their men on the ground. Silently, solemnly, the dark knights stopped in front of the wall of men that blocked their way. The soulless eyes of their skull-like helms burned into the eyes of the surrounding Legionnaires. The Legionnaires sent their own wave of hatred and stared daggers at their vaunted enemies. The dark knights were outnumbered. There were only nine of them, a full talon, facing nearly one hundred infantry troops who looked eager to test their mettle against the dark paladins. The leader of the dark knights eyed Trevor and examined the grim and righteous mask that the Legionnaire wore. She chuckled slightly at the hatred and rage, and grudging respect, that the surrounding Legionnaires, all of whom were un-blooded boys, exhibited. Looking up slightly, she saw the sharp flash of metal in the sunlight that betrayed the archers on the catwalks. She smiled under her helm at the ridiculousness of the situation. Her men kept their hands on their weapons, but their grips were relaxed and carefree. They trusted their commander and knew that she would never let them be forced into such a hopeless battle. Instead, they held their weapons easily, almost mockingly as if they had a total disregard for their opponents. Should it come to battle, the Knights of Takhisis would slay many before they fell. Stepping forward, the leader of the dark knights extended her hands, palm outwards, to show that she bore no weapons, that she bore no hostility. Nodding slightly, Trevor signaled to his troops, and they eased their grips on their weapons. "What d'you want dark knight?" Trevor asked evenly as he stepped forward to face the leader of the dark knights that had entered the city under his protection. "And how did you get past my scouts?" "We have arrived in fair Solace to find a man named Alain Dargeth," the dark knight responded in precise, clipped tones. "Kindly point me in his direction and we will leave your town unharmed." "I don't think we have to help you at all," Trevor responded sharply. "In case you didn't notice, we're still enemies! You have some nerve entering the headquarters of the Legion of Steel with only a talon of knights, expecting me to help you! You're lucky I'm allowing you dark knights to enter Solace and leave with your plate mail intact!" The dark knight started to respond, but suddenly the sword that hung sheathed at her hip began to vibrate. It vibrated rapidly and emitted a whining sound. The Legionnaires all reached for their weapons quickly as the whine began to fill the clearing. Trevor stepped back in amazement as the sheathed blade continued to vibrate. He heard the shrill shriek of a naked blade and realized that his men were starting to draw their weapons. The dark knights immediately broke out of their lax positions and held their weapons aloft defensively. Quickly, Trevor cut them off with a wave of his hand, and the blades quickly disappeared back into their sheaths. The dark knight clasped her sword with her left hand and it immediately grew still. Slowly, the rest of his men released their swords. "Oh don't worry, commander," the dark knight spat venomously. "We do not require your assistance. But you are correct about one thing; we are on opposing sides in a coming war. Enjoy your brief respite while you can, because soon Krynn will be set ablaze with the fires of war!" Trevor's face darkened at this and his men once again reached for their swords, but Trevor waved them off. Facing the dark knight once again, he glowered into her skull-like helm. Her stony eyes peered out of the hideous mask's eye slits and met Trevor's gaze unwaveringly. "Get out, dark knight and never return," Trevor growled as his voice quivered with rage. Haughtily, the dark knight glared into his beet-red face and spun around. Grimly, she signaled for her men to follow her as she marched out of Solace. The dark knights silently followed their leader and formed a macabre procession out of the tree-village. Trevor quickly signaled to a Legionnaire next to him. Grimly, the warrior approached his commander while keeping an eye on the backs of the marching dark knights. "I want them followed," Trevor ordered to his aide. With a nod, the Legionnaire rushed off. "Okay men!" Trevor barked. "Back to your posts! Move! Move!" Grim-faced, the Legionnaires scurried off to their various duties. Silently, Trevor ruminated over this latest development. He looked up quickly as his aide rushed breathlessly back up to him. "What news?" Trevor asked gruffly as he noticed the concern on the Legionnaire's breathless face. "It's the dark knights, sir!" the Legionnaire responded breathlessly. "They've disappeared!" "What!?" Trevor gasped in disbelief. "You're telling me that your scouts lost nine armor clad Knights of Takhisis!" The Legionnaire nodded helplessly. "Damn it!" Trevor cursed vehemently. "Alright! Organize a full search! We're gonna search the entire surrounding forest until we find those bastards! Understood?" Red-faced, the Legionnaire nodded and started towards the forest. "And one more thing," Trevor added with a curse. "Find Alain Dargeth!" * * * "You must have dropped it!" Brasswell Lightfinger gasped as he was hauled high into the air. The kender flailed his arms wildly and his topknot whipped around as he rose into the air. Brass felt that while being lifted into the air by his collar, which was cutting off his air, was interesting enough, being on his own two feet would be much more enjoyable. He didn't understand why Sven the farmer would be so upset when he had recovered the farmer's pouch full of steel. "You really should be more careful with your money Sven!" Brass sputtered as the muscle bound farmer hefted the kender with one meaty hand. "I oughta gut you, you little squeaker!" Sven roared as Brass squirmed in his grip. Brass looked over to the three other people in the inn for support. He found no one at the Inn, unusual, even for the early morning, except for village youths huddled around a small table. The first, a Legionnaire with dark, wavy hair, dancing eyes, coal black skin, and boyish good looks that drove half the women in Solace crazy, grinned at the kender and took a big swig from his mug of ale. His slender, yet fit, muscles rippled easily under the plae light. His seat creaked as he shifted position and his shining scale mail cuirass and leggings scraped against the wood. Next to him sat a student from the Academy of Sorcery located just outside of Solace. He was bundled up in night blue robes, making it difficult to determine his physical appearance, and was diligently reading a musty, leather bound tome. Slight and lean, the sorcerer seemed emaciated and inhumanly slender. The only indications that there was someone in the hooded robe were a few strands of jet black hair peeking out of the recesses of the sorcerer's hood. Brass' eyes widened when he saw the mage's hands turn the page of his heavy book. The mage's fingers were splitting and cracking, as if a terrible fire had burned them. Brass' gasp of surprise ended in a slight shiver as the hooded sorcerer looked up from his tome to stare coldly at the kender. His eyes glowed with a brilliant green light as if they were actually the eerie lights of a will o' the wisp. A faint meow drew his attention to the bar that the sorcerer sat at and a black cat pranced into the kender's view. As black as a pitch, the sleek and slender feline narrowed its sharp eyes at the kender and twirled its tail in the air. The feline's startling eyes burned into the kender's mind with the same green intensity that its master possessed. The third patron was even more interesting. She had fiery hair, with blonde and orange highlights coloring her long, red, wavy hair. She wore a simple leather top that tightly covered her chest as well as leather breeches with bound side slits that showed off her long, slender legs. What interested the kender the most, however, was the fact that her skin was a dark shade of tanned red! Gaping with awe, Brass hardly noticed Sven shaking him as he saw that every bit of her body, from her muscled legs to her slender shoulders was tanned and red. She looked up quickly and her beautiful red eyes filled with concern as she saw Brass being manhandled by the farmer. "I know you don't mean to, but you're cutting of my air supply," Brass gagged as Sven tightened his grip on the kender's leather jerkin. "Sven!" a booming voice from across the bar interrupted. "Put the kender down!" Sven turned to glare at the voice, but he immediately recognized the speaker. "Sure thing, Caramon," Sven gulped as he set Brass down on a barstool. "It's your inn after all." "Yeah, you show 'im big guy!" cheered the Legionnaire as he gulped down a mug of ale. "Shut up Darren," the girl admonished. "Caramon's not gonna forget your ale tab no matter how much you suck up!" "Says you Jilean!" Darren snorted as he took another swig from his mug. "Just because you don't drink ale doesn't mean you have to ruin it from the rest of us. Now, me and Erik here, we're just a couple of guys who appreciate a good mug of ale, right Erik?" The mage looked up from his heavy tome and peered quizzically at his two companions. "What?" he asked as he looked around him. "Forget it," Darren grinned as he turned back to his ale. A flurry of activity erupted outside of the inn's entrance as Legionnaire after Legionnaire pounded across the walkways around the Inn. A single Legionnaire dashed into the Inn and frantically looked around. Breathless, he had to stoop to catch his breath. "Hey Alther," Darren called out to the Legionnaire. "What's going on? Did Liza finally find out about your other 'midnight rendezvous?'" "No," Alther panted as he ran up to the bar. Turning to Caramon Majere, the famed Hero of the Lance and bartender, he asked, "Have you seen Alain Dargeth? Do you know where he is?" "No, I haven't seen him today," Caramon answered calmly as he wiped a mug clean with a bar rag. "Why?" "Knights of Takhisis entered Solace today," Alther panted as he leaned against the bar. "Really!" Brass jumped up as he dashed over to the Legionnaire. "Real dark knights! I haven't seen any of them for a long time! And here, in Solace! Wow!" "I've gotta get home and warn my pa!" Sven cried out as he rushed out of the Inn. "Poor man," Brass sighed as he reached into his pouch. To his amazement, he found Sven's money pouch. "He's never gonna amount to anything if he doesn't stop dropping his money!" "Are they after Alain?" Jilean asked worriedly as she crept closer to Alther. "That's what they said," Alther gasped as he caught his breath. "They said they were searching for Alain Dargeth. Our scouts tried to follow them, but they just disappeared! Your father ordered an all-out search for them! We also have to find Dargeth!" "What would dark knights want with Alain?" Darren asked as he put down his mug of ale. "I don't know, but now I gotta go! C'mon Darren, you should report to your company commander right away!" With that, Alther bolted from the door. His footsteps scattered down the stairs of the Inn melted into the cacophony that came from outside. "We've got to get Kara," Jilean cried out. "She should know what's going on!" "Wait!" Darren interrupted. "I think I know where Alain is! He goes to this small clearing outside of town every morning!" "You have to report to your commander, my father, Darren," Jilean chastised firmly. "You can't just do things your way. You're a Legionnaire, remember?" "Yeah, yeah," Darren muttered as he brushed off Jilean's reprimand. "Look, I don't have time to look for your father, Jil. This could mean the difference between Alain living and Alain dying. Besides, this'll make the High Elder forgive and forget that, uh, unfortunate incident that happened a few weeks ago." If you call leaving your post to chase after that tramp, Sharon Weatherall, and allowing a small party of goblins to enter Solace an unfortunate incident, then yes, Jilean thought crossly. "Who'll get Kara?" she returned evenly. "I can get Kara!" Brass interjected rapidly. "We're good friends from when I saved her from those raiders in Kalaman, or was that Tarsis?" "Whatever, just go!" Darren shouted as he pushed Brass out the door of the Inn. "Some people are just so rude," Brass shouted back as he dashed down the steps. "C'mon, let's go Jil," Darren ordered as he grabbed her arm and led her out of the inn. "Are you gonna be all right here Caramon?" The Hero of the Lance nodded and reached under the bar to stroke his long sword. "C'mon Erik, let's go!" Darren yelled as he dragged Jilean, sighing all the way, out the door. Erik looked up from his book sharply, and narrowed his eyes at his two impatient friends. Recognizing the impetuous look on his friend's face, Erik sighed grimly and snapped his book shut. Gathering his dark robes about him, the mage slowly rose to his feet. Tossing a glance across the room, the sorcerer focused his gaze upon the black cat upon the bar. Narrowing his eyes sharply, the sorcerer seemed to send a silent message to his cat, but the feline simply flipped its head away from the mage in disinterest and settled down on the surface of the bar. "C'mon Erik!" Darren called impatiently. "Leave your cat behind!" Frowning darkly, Erik stormed out of the inn with his night blue robes fluttering about him. * * * The sun rose high in the sky like the benevolent eye of some vanished creator. It shed its radiance and warmth down upon the surface of the world and caressed the land gently. The sun warmed Alain and warded off the slight chill of the early morn. It danced upon his skin like wind across a tree branch and he sighed. His clothes felt uncomfortable now. He wore a simple tunic; the color of the forest leaves in springtime, as well as simple brown trousers. His long, dark gray jacket, a mixture of a cloak and a robe, covered his torso and arms like a tunic but extended to form a long cloak that billowed like the fluttering wings of a raven in the flowing wind. Even his deerskin boots felt different and stifling like they were about to strangle his feet. Nothing was the same for him anymore. After finding Kara and settling down in Solace he thought that he would relish the prospect of living a normal, uneventful life. The last excitement he had had was when he had traveled to Haven in order to help train a few new Legionnaire cadets about dragon slaying. And before that, he had helped circumvent a plot to steal a priceless magical weapon by a trio of sivak draconians. He hadn't realized it then, when he had been sopping wet, battered and bruised from tracking the wily sivak halfway to New Port, but that little foray had actually been enjoyable. Perhaps enjoyable was the wrong word. Alain had begun to feel smothered. He craved excitement and danger. Wanderlust tugged at the corners of his heart as if he were an adolescent kender. He knew he loved Kara, but he had come to realize that a life of harmony was not for him. Sighing, Alain's thoughts turned inward. He felt the familiar throbbing deep within him. Reaching into his tunic, he felt the smooth, sharp edges of his starjewel bite into his flesh. Slowly, he pulled it out into the open and watched the sunlight play on the diamonds and rubies. The jewel glowed with a slight blue light that pierced the morning's faint light and sparkled cool and clear in his eyes. Reaching into his cloak and to his belt, Alain unsheathed his magic broadsword and stabbed it into the moist earth. The blade sank into the wet soil and stood erect in the flashing sun like the marker on a hero's grave. Silent and brooding, Alain thought of the elven maiden whom he had met, whom he had loved, whom he had lost, whom he had avenged, a lifetime ago. "Are you Alain Dargeth?" a sharp voice interrupted, shattering his silent reverie. Turning quickly, Alain caught sight of the Knights of Takhisis that surrounded him in the clearing. Their dark armor seemed to suck in the daylight and intensify the shadows around him. His hand immediately tightened around the hilt of his blade as anger coursed through his system. He had not encountered any Knights of Takhisis for some time. The last time he had clashed with the dark knights was on that fateful night when his life had changed forever. Quickly banishing his anger, Alain stood up and hefted his broadsword in a defensive but non-threatening position. "Yes, I am Alain Dargeth," Alain responded tersely as he eyed the dark knights warily. The leader of the dark knights, denoted as the only woman in the group by the slender curves that dominated her armor, stepped forward. Swiftly, she drew her own sword. The slender, silver blade of her long sword flashed in the faint sunlight. Its blade was long and slender with a slight curve like a scimitar's. The crosspiece consisted of two dragons carved from some reddish metal. Jewels and other precious metals adorned the hilt. As Alain watched the supple and deadly blade sweep through the air, his own blade began to vibrate in his hand. Looking down at it in surprise, Alain was shocked to see miniature bolts of lightning race up and down the blade's length. Turning back to face the leader of the dark paladins, he was amazed to see similar bolts of lightning racing down his own slender blade. The dark knight simply nodded as if she had expected such an occurrence and lowered her blade. "It seems that you are the one I seek," she stated in cold, clipped tones. "Your weapon is mine by right. Relinquish it and you may keep your life." "I don't think so," Alain returned as he lifted his sword threateningly. "I've kinda grown attached to it." The other dark knights nearly hurled themselves at the impudent warrior, but their leader raised a slender, mailed hand and waved them off. Pointing in several different directions, she motioned for her troops off to the side. "Secure the clearing," she ordered harshly. "Yes Knight-Officer Deathlily," the dark knights saluted as they retreated to the border of the clearing. "Very well, Alain Dargeth," the Knight-Officer spat coldly. "I will have to wrest my blade from your cold, limp fingers." Reaching up, she unbuckled her skull-like helm and lifted it off her face. Black tresses, as dark as a raven's wing, unfurled and cascaded down her back like a spring shower. Silently, she dropped her helm to the floor. "Look into the face of a Knight of Takhisis," she spat, "and know your death!" Alain could only stare in shock at the face before him. The elven eyes and slender cheekbones, framed by the jet-black hair taunted him and shattered his concentration. Aileen! His mind raced as the elven warrior approached. However, his memory refuted his initial guess as he saw the strength in her jaw, the slight levelness in her eyes, and the slight points on her ears. No, she was not Aileen, but she did look a lot like . . . "Kara," Alain breathed as his mind raced through the possibilities. This Knight of Takhisis was obviously a half-elf like Kara, but her connection with his lover was deeper. He could sense something about her, but he couldn't place his finger on it. Snapping out of his deep pondering, Alain barely had time to parry the dark knight's downward slice. A shower of sparks half-blinded him as the two enchanted blades met. Roaring like a jungle cat, Deathlily kicked forward and caught Alain in the stomach. Unarmored, the warrior could only gasp out in pain as the dark knight's steel-tipped boots rammed into his gut. Scrambling backwards, Alain managed to avoid the dark knight's next thrust, but a lightning-quick spin kick rammed into the side of his head and sent him tumbling to the ground. Rubbing his aching head, Alain hefted his blade and prepared for the fight of his life. * * * "It's over here!" Darren whispered as he dashed through the tangle of trees that made up the woods around Solace. Pointing to his right, he turned and sprinted through nestles and leaves that littered the ground. Jogging easily along, Jilean caught up with the excited Legionnaire in an instant. Not seeing anyone else around her, she turned to look behind her and saw Erik struggling pitifully to charge through the brush without getting his dark blue robes tangled up in the foliage. "Erik! Hurry up!" Jilean admonished as the sorcerer attempted to free himself from the clutches of a thorny bush. "Do not rush me! I am magi. I will go where I wish to go, when I need to go," the mage stated coldly. "Magi my a-" Jilean began to curse. "Wait, there they are," Darren warned as he silenced his bickering companions. He ducked down into the brush and pointed ahead. Peering closely, Jilean could make out the dark armor of the dark knights as they stood guard around the clearing. She could also hear the clash of metal upon metal, the grunts and curses of battle coming from the clearing. Erik, not bothering to hide in the ditch for concealment, observed the dark knights with a discerning eye. Bringing his cracked hand to his face, he absently stroked his chin as he assessed the situation. "Will you get down!" Darren snapped as he tugged on Erik's robe. "C'mon! They'll see us!" "Actually, the dark knights are more focused on the battle in the clearing than on keeping watch," Erik calmly explained. "Their leader is evidently engaged in battle with our friend Alain. From my brief glance, I can tell that he is not doing as well as I would hope. And the guards do outnumber us eight to three." "We can take them!" Darren growled fiercely as he shook the large mace at his side. "They have eight trained knights with swords," Erik interrupted. "We have a hotshot Legionnaire with a metal club, an unarmed woman, and a sorcerer, although I would rather not test out my few spells in actual battle until I am more prepared." "Hey, I can take care of myself," Jilean returned crossly. "Sure you can," Darren snickered slightly. "Hey!" Jilean cried out in hushed tones. "I'm a lot stronger than either of you!" Angrily, she swung her fist around and shattered a small log in front of her. Both of her friends backed away slightly as the wood chips flew in every direction. "Okay, I believe you," Erik consented. "Your magical strength is impressive, but we can't handle this alone. It would be better if we went back for reinforcements . . ." "No time for that," Darren whispered. "Look, the knights are positioned in three groups of two, equally spaced at the border of the clearing, with two lone knights at the fringes. Erik, you take down the middle two, Jil and I will take the sides. Jil, go right, I'll go left. If you take out your targets, get to Alain, got it?" "Okay," Jilean agreed. Sighing, Erik also nodded. "All right," Darren breathed as he steadied his nerves. "Fan out." Quickly, the Legionnaire dashed to the right as the fiery girl moved to the left. The sorcerer remained ensconced in his heavy robes and calmly recited ran over magical formulae in his head. Running over the possibilities in his mind, Erik selected the appropriate effect and began to chant. Suddenly, doubt and fear flooded his mind. I've never cast such a spell before on actual people! He thought wildly. They might be able to resist my magical effects. I have not the strength to affect them yet! The spell is failing! The ground began to tremor and waver slightly like a bad dream on a hot summer's day. My magic has been failing me. I need to strengthen it! Closing his eyes, Erik chanted within and without. Erik quickly banished such thoughts from his mind. The fear and doubt continued to course through his system, but the spellcasting took over. The magic coursed through his system and filled him with ecstasy. Erik thought that his very blood was on fire as he was borne upon the wings of the magic. Harshly, he forced himself back to reality and focused on the ground beneath the two dark knights in front of him. Tracing runes in the air in front of him, Erik willed the earth to move. The ground twisted and rose like a tidal wave beneath the two dark knights with suddenness and fury of a thunderbolt. The dark knights shouted in surprise and anger, but they were bowled over like ale casks. The ground flowed like water under Erik's careful instruction and covered the two writhing knights. Clenching his fist, Erik commanded the earth to solidify. * * * Coming up behind the two dark knights, Darren swallowed a delicious shiver of anticipation and fear. He could see the harsh sunlight glinting off of their armor. He could almost touch them now. Springing from his hiding place, he brought his shining mace down on the back of one of the dark knight's head. The knight fell with a cry of pain to his knees and clutched his crumpled helmet. Twisting around in surprise, the second dark knight reached for his sword. Hooking his leg behind the dark knight's, Darren grabbed the knight's elbow and sent him sprawling into a tree trunk. Darren rushed to the knight's side, but a swift armored fist knocked him backwards. Huffing in pain, Darren managed to dodge the sudden sword thrust of the enraged knight. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the third knight rushing towards him. He could also see the first knight struggling to stand up. Oh damn, he thought as he parried the second knight's sword with the handle of his mace. I'm screwed. * * * Ignoring the paralyzing fear that coursed down her spine, Jilean charged towards the two dark knights. Her shoulder rammed into the two knight's backs and sent them hurtling forward into the clearing. She looked ahead and saw Alain fighting a black-haired dark knight. From the looks of it, Alain was losing. She heard a noise behind her and ducked as the third knight swung at her head. The blade whistled over her head and rammed into the side of a tree. Quickly, Jilean rammed her elbow back and slammed it into the knight's armored stomach. Her force of her blow formed an indent in the knight's armor and the knight flew back with a grunt. Cursing, Jilean nursed her bruised elbow as she stood up. One of the first two knights that she had rammed had recovered and advanced on her without his weapon. Jilean merely smiled as the knight drew back his fist and prepared to deliver a crushing blow. Reaching up, she grabbed the dark knight's fist and twisted his wrist in her steely grip. The knight gasped in pain as his arm screamed. Drawing her own arm back, she delivered a crushing blow that shattered the knight's skull-like helm and sent him sprawling into the clearing and right between Alain and his opponent. * * * Alain dodged to the right as Deathlily thrust and swung at him. He counterattacked wildly, but his attacks were all expertly deflected. A minor feint scored a cruel cut across his chest and arm. Backing up, Alain could feel his warm blood seeping from the open wound, out of his ragged tunic, and onto the ground. As the dark knight darted in for the kill, a large body suddenly fell from the sky onto the ground between them. The armored body crashed with a dull thwack! And sent a spray of wet earth showering into the air. "What in the Abyss?" Deathlily cried as she stared down at the crumpled body of one of her knights. She was shocked to see the skull-like faceplate of the knight shattered like broken glass. Taking advantage of her momentary weakness, Alain launched himself at the dark knight and rammed his shoulder into her chest. His unarmed shoulder screamed in outrage from being slammed into the dark knight's metal armor. Gasping in surprise, Deathlily lost her footing and fell back from Alain's onslaught. Alain hefted his broadsword and prepared to knock the dark knight out with one swing when Deathlily recovered. Twisting around, Deathlily whipped her leg around and connected with Alain's shin. Yelping in pain, Alain backed up and received a blow to the head from the hilt of the dark knight's sword. A haze of red and white exploded in Alain's head as he stumbled to his knees. Another kick to the chest sent him sprawling to the ground. Groggily, Alain hefted his sword, but Deathlily stabbed him in the shoulder. Alain cried out in pain as the slender blade parted skin and muscle like water. Deathlily withdrew her blade before causing too much damage and stepped back to watch Alain's blood pour down his side. "All I want is what is rightfully mine. Hand over the sword," Deathlily demanded. "Never!" Alain swore as he gritted his teeth in pain. He clutched his wounded shoulder tightly as the blood welled up beneath his fingers and seeped down his ragged tunic. "So be it," Deathlily spat coldly as she lifted her sword above his head. Alain closed his eyes tightly and waited for death. Suddenly, Deathlily cried out in pain and shock as her long sword slipped from her hand and stabbed into the ground. Her eyes flashed in anger and pain as she felt behind her and discovered the feathered arrow in her back. Her hand slipped to her belt, where she gripped a small, sheathed dagger. Twisting around, she confronted the archer. Kara Half-elven stood defiant and proud in the morning breeze. Her longbow was aimed at the dark knight and another arrow was nocked and ready. Her blonde hair whipped around her like the tendrils of a wyndlass and her steely eyes leveled on the dark knight. Her leather armor was formed from one large piece of leather dyed green that wound and clung to her lithe and muscled body. The armor covered her chest and midsection, revealing her slender, muscled arms and long, shapely legs. Dark tattoos of black, triangular stripes crisscrossed her arms and legs, making her seem like some great jungle cat waiting to pounce. The grinning face of Brasswell Lightfinger peeked out from behind her. He waved his hoopak at Alain. Darren quickly rushed past the defeated forms of the three dark knights ran to Alain's side. Jilean hurled the last dark knight onto the ground and ran to Kara's side. Erik Majere stepped into the clearing while chanting arcane words. The last two dark knights were struggling within their stony prison. "Stop where you are, servant of darkness, or the next arrow goes through your heart," Kara spat defiantly as she leveled her bow. Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of her enemy's angry face. The dark, sweeping hair, high cheekbones, and flashing eyes stirred ancient memories within her. "Violet . . ." The two dark knights twisted and turned in their stony prison. Suddenly, the rock parted and crumbled like sand. Erik struggled with the magic, but it refused him. To his dismay, his spell crumbled beneath his fingers. No! he thought. I wasn't ready! The spell is breaking loose! The two dark knights tore free of their stony prison and began to run towards the center of the clearing. Kara turned her head for an instant, but that instant was all Violet needed. Drawing the dagger from her belt, Violet swung it around towards Kara. The dark knight finally caught a glimpse of the courageous half-elf. Her eyes widened in surprise as she recognized her enemy. Kara's brilliant blonde hair and steely eyes flashed in her mind. Her hand swung around and the dagger flew towards Kara. "Kara . . ." she whispered in surprise. "No!" Alain shouted as he spotted the blade flashing through the air. Kara turned back just in time to see the dagger tumble through the air and bury itself in her thigh. Her mouth opened wide in shock as she felt the dagger bite through her flesh. A small spurt of blood welled up and dribbled down her leg as the dagger cleaved into her leg. She reached for her leg and felt her lifeblood pour down her fingers. She took a step back groggily and slipped. Clutching her wound, Kara fell to the ground. "Kara!" Alain cried out as he saw her fall. Violet clenched her teeth and reached for a bright blue ring on her ring finger. Moving quickly, she twisted the sapphire stone sharply. A bright blue light burst from the ring and encircled the dark knight. Ignoring his wound, Alain ran towards the dark knight, but the crackling energy kept him at bay. The swirling energy sparked and danced across the clearing and struck each of the other Knights of Takhisis. In a burst of blue light, the dark knights were gone, leaving only wisps of blue smoke in their wake. Jilean looked around wildly for the dark knights, but they were nowhere to be found. Darren hurried over to help Alain, but the warrior had already picked himself up and was running to Kara's side. Brass was sobbing and clutching Kara's hand when Alain reached the half-elf's side. The kender's face was ashen as he looked up at Alain with wide, tear-filled eyes. "Kara," Alain sobbed as he held her. He tried wildly to staunch the blood flow, but the red liquid gushed forward forcefully. "Alain . . ." Kara gasped as she lay back. Kara suddenly arched her back and cried out in pain. Jilean, Erik, and Darren solemnly approached behind Alain and gazed mournfully in Kara's direction. "It's all right," eased Alain as he choked back a sob. "It's only a leg wound, Kara. You've lived through worse. We'll get that damned dark knight, Kara, I promise." "She's my . . . sister," Kara breathed slowly as her eyes closed. Another jolt of pain shook her entire body and registered on her ashen face. "Violet is my . . . sister . . ." "What?" Alain asked as he stroked Kara's pale, pain-ridden face. "A-A-Alain," Brass interrupted as he placed a hand on the warrior's shoulder. Alain turned to Brass with irritation on his face, but the kender's grave look gave him pause. Brass gestured to the dagger that jutted out from Kara's thigh. The blade looked alien and unreal in the half-elf's leg, and it stirred up feelings of dread and loathing within all around. The blade had only buried itself an inch and a half into Kara's flesh, exposing nearly three inches of the blade to the world. As Alain bent closer to examine the blade, he began to shake. A thick, black, tar-like substance seeped around and into the wound. The dagger had been poisoned.