In the last sixty years, the Inn of the Last Home has become a historical landmark. The peaceful inn lies in the city of solace in Abanasinia, and is one of the last wonders of Krynn. Lying deep in the bowl of a fertile valley, the entire city is built upon huge vallenwood trees; trees that grow only in Solace. The houses are built upon majestic, looming trees that are connected by long wooden bridges. Each house had been painstakingly carved to look like an extension of the tree itself. Each tree has its branches lovingly wrapped around each house until it is difficult to tell where the tree ends, and where the house begins. The smoke curling from the chimneys of many houses drifts north with the wind, and reaching the peaks of the Kharolis mountain tops. The shimmering waters of Crystalmir Lake capture the last, fading rays of the sun. The purples, pinks, oranges, and reds play upon the now golden brown leaves of the vallenwoods which surround the inn like a lions mane.
The inn itself is the largest building in solace. Perched high in the branches of an unusually large vallenwood tree, the inn is usually well lit and welcomed all travelers. The smell of cool ale, mulled wine, honey mead, and, of course, Otik's famous spiced potatoes tantalizes every passerby's nostrils. The sound of the swapping of gossip, the laughter of drunkards, and the cooking of food permeates the still silence of the woods and invites all.
Many still travel to this famed spot; even more than the hundreds who came after the War of the Lance. After the Chaos War, when Chaos, the Father of All and Nothing, attempted to destroy Ansalon, the gods convinced him to leave Krynn with them. The world was once again a world without faith; a world without gods. However, all of creation was saved, and the dead who had fought Chaos' evil minions were proclaimed heroes. Knights of Solamnia, Knights of Takhisis, and even the famed Tanis Half-elven were buried in a monument near solace. The tomb was simple, yet elegant, built of white marble and obsidian. Trees brought from Qualinesti and Silvanesti surrounded the tomb, offering shade to the numerous amounts of pilgrims who traveled to the tomb. The vault was sealed with double doors made of silver and gold. On one side was engraved the image of a rose, the other, a lily. Both had been painstakingly carved, Above the double doors was a carving of a hoopak, the weapon beloved of kenders. Tasslehoff Burrfoot, another famous hero (one who had save Krynn on countless occasions) was immortalized here. The tomb was called the Last Heroes Tomb. Many pilgrims (and kenders!) trekked across hostile lands to visit the tomb, and the inn.
With the gods gone, the dragons seized power. More powerful than ever, they divided and conquered the land. They became the Overlords of Krynn. They brought death, famine, and pestilence to Ansalon. Fire engulfed the land, burning away nearly all hope. Death and destruction reigned. While forces such as the heroic Legion of Steel and the honorable Knights of Solamnia still championed the cause of good, other groups like the malevolent Knights of Takhisis still seek to conquer the all of Ansalon. These nefarious groups even support a world under dragonwing. Yet even in a world darkened by dragonwing, hope still flared, for only in the darkness does the flame of hope glow all the more brightly. People traveled to Solace for hope, for something to spark their faith. Some traveled to plot the fall of the Dragon Overlords. Others came to see the Last Heroes Tomb. All came searching for destiny, for hope, and for a soul.
The door to the Inn of the Last Home opened, letting in some damp air trickle inn. A few of the patrons looked up, but many continued to sip their ale and laugh with their companions. The few who did notice the stranger noted that he was a warrior. He could undoubtedly handle himself in combat. The others who didn't notice turned their attention back to the kender in front of them.
The shrill cry of, "You must have dropped it!", mingled with the laughs of drunkards.
The warrior was wearing scale mail armor, although it was caked with mud and other unmentionables. He also wore a battered broad sword hanging at his side. Tuffs of his yellowed tunic poked out of the sides of his armor. His handsome, weary face was nearly obscured by his large, spiked helm. Ebony black hair cropped at the edges. Although very worn out and dirty, the owner had tried to clean off his armor. Judging by the way his hand strayed nonchalantly to his sword, the onlookers decided that he was a dangerous man. The scent of the outdoors, of pine trees, the morning dew, and blood and steel surrounded him.
He surveyed his boisterous surroundings coldly, and started to make his way through the crowd. At the sight of the light-fingered kender, his hand closed around his money pouch. His blue, ice cold eyes raked the crowd, searching for one face.
His eyes narrowed as he found who he was looking for. Pushing through the crowds of drinkers, the warrior eventually reached a small table in a shadowy corner. Wrinkling his nose at the thick smell of dwarven spirits, he pulled up a chair and sat down. The chair protested at the grinding of scale mail armor against its back rest.
At this sound, the person seated at the table looked up. A mass of golden blonde hair flowed like a mountain spring down her cheeks and past her shoulders. The shadows cast by the fire pit fled her classic, exquisite face. Breathtakingly enchanting, her face seemed to radiate an inner strength. Her luscious, full lips seemed to compliment her large, almond-shaped luminous eyes. Those starry blue eyes stared deep into the warriors soul, trapping him and refusing to let go.
The warrior studied her further. His sharp eyes took in her exquisite leather armor, which revealed all but the most intimate of places. Her hand strayed over to her cutlass, which hung loosely at her side.
"Are you Kara Half-elven?" the warrior asked, observing her closely.
"Who wants to know?" Kara asked coldly.
The warrior paused at this, as if he were uncertain of what to say. His stoic mask fell for a moment, revealing a tired, weary man, and then came back up.
"I am Alain Dargeth," the warrior said slowly and reluctantly. "I have need of a guide, and I hear that you're pretty good."
"The best," Kara commented off-handily. "Where do you need me to take you?"
"I've been tracking a black dragon. Rumors of his lair have led me to Solace," Alain answered. "Do you know where his lair is?"
"Well, you must be looking for Ebony," Kara answered uncertainly. "Ebony's lair is just fifty miles north of here, nestled in a small valley in the Sentinel Peaks."
"Can you lead me there?" Alain asked, edging closer to Kara.
"Although young compared to other wyrms, any dragon is still a force to be reckoned with," Kara warned. "Why do you want to get to his lair?"
"I have my reasons," Alain stated coldly. "Now will you guide me?"
Kara downed her ale in one gulp.
"Fine, my fee is two hundred steel pieces."
Looking up sharply at the high fee, Alain sighed. Reaching into one of the few leather pouches adorning his belt, he pulled out a large drawstring bag.
The pouch made a loud clinking sound as Alain tossed it onto the table.
"Here. There's a hundred steel pieces in there. The other half when we reach Ebony's lair."
Pocketing the pouch of coins, Kara started to get up.
"Meet me outside here tomorrow morning at dawn," Kara told Alain as she got up. Stopping suddenly, Kara turned and faced Alain.
"What makes you think you can defeat a black dragon?" asked Kara.
"I don't know," admitted Alain. "It's just something that I have to do. I've spent years tracking Ebony, going from town to town, area to area. Now he's within my grasp."
"Don't you have any family?" Kara asked.
Something stirred deep within the recesses of Alain's soul. Faint ashes flared up as unwanted memories rose to the surface.
Kara saw the change in Alain's composure and knew she had hit a nerve.
"No," Alain returned coldly.
"A wife perhaps?" Kara pried.
At this Alain closed his eyes, trying to stop the flow of grief that threatened to burst out. A hot searing pain slashed at his soul.
"No," Alain whispered, his face darkening. This time he looked down at the table. He failed to notice the appreciative glance that Kara gave him. "Now I need to purchase supplies."
Kara stared at Alain's chest, as a faint glow of light seemed to glimmer from under his armor.
Alain got up and left the table. Kara stared after him, watching him make his way through the crowd. Shaking her head, Kara wondered at what she saw. She fingered her fee, and wondered what she had gotten herself into.

The sun's golden rays crept over the horizon and stole upon Solace. The world slowly, hesitantly, opened its eyes to the dawn. Smoke started to drift out of chimneys as people started to rise. Like a shy newborn fawn, people awoke to the world.
A damp wind blew gently against Kara. Holding her pack up, she rested against the winding steps that led to the Inn of the Last Home. The enticing smell of Otik's famous spiced potatoes drifted down to her. She heard footsteps as Alain came down from the inn.
Alain shouldered his pack, and surveyed his guide.
Kara stood tall and proud, no longer shrouded in her cloak. Her long, blonde hair fluttered in the air like a bird, and captured the faint rays of the sun. Her leather armor had obviously been molded for her because it caught every catch, every contour, and every curve of her shapely body. From her belt hung her cutlass, and a small dirk, a ten-inch long cleaver-like blade. In her boot, she had a dagger. Her longbow and quiver of flight arrows were strapped to her back. She now looked at him, her almond-shaped eyes fastening on to him. Her classic, cold-cut face seemed cool and composed. The tips of her delicately pointed ears completed the exotic ensemble, making her look like some goddess of ancient lore. She moved gracefully, like a swan gliding through water. Her face and body seemed as gentle and as natural as the morning dew, which contrasted greatly with her fiery spirit.
"Shall we go?" Asked Kara as she hefted her backpack.
"Lead the way," Alain grunted as he lifted his share of the gear.
"This way," Kara directed, walking towards the distant Sentinel Peaks. Alain followed Kara into the forest. Aspens and oaks rose over their heads as they made their way through the woods. They walked down an old trail, now with some overgrown foliage. The chirping of blue jays broke the dour silence between the two.
So, tell me why you want to reach Ebony's lair," Kara asked.
"It's none of your business," Alain grumbled.
"He did something to you, didn't he?" Kara asked sympathetically.
"Yes."
Kara waited to see if Alain would say any more. When the warrior didn't offer any more information, Kara decided to let the matter drop. Kara had learned over the years that asking too many questions was just one of the many ways to get yourself killed. Shrugging nonchalantly, the half-elf continued through the crunchy carpet of autumn leaves. Gazing at the hot rising sun, Kara knew that it would be a long day.

Kara and Alain rested on a large, flat boulder, just inside a small, secluded clearing. They had been following a river, and Kara wanted them to rest before they reached the waterfall.
Kara drank an arc of water from her wineskin. A few drops landed on her face, causing cool rivets of moisture to cool her parched skin.
Alain watched her, seeing the sun's light glint off of her golden hair. He watched her pour the remaining water all over her, cooling her heated armor. The moisture on her skin also caught the rays of the sun, and made her shimmer in the afternoon heat. Abruptly, he turned away, unwilling to let himself think of how much Kara reminded him of another elf he once knew.
Alain reached into his armor, and felt the starjewel hanging around his neck. As always, it felt cold and empty. Sighing, Alain continued to caress the precious jewel, as if his continual touch might one day bring back its warmth and magic.
There are many things that elves are famous for. One is their keen elven eyesight, and another is their sharp hearing. The senses of the elves are legendary, and more than once an elven scout had saved an entire party.
Although Kara was only a half-elf, borne of a human and an elf, she still possessed elven eyesight and keen hearing. Going over to the river to refill her wineskin, Kara noticed a flash of dull red in an otherwise green and lush forest.
A sense of dread washed over her like a tidal wave. Her sharp hearing picked up the sound of metal in dirt, of the creaking of armor, and of quieted whispers. Eyes widening, Kara abruptly dropped her wineskin, and ran towards Alain.
"Alain!!!"
Alain whirled around just as Kara tackled him. They both fell to the ground, Kara on top of Alain.
Alain now noticed close up how incredibly beautiful Kara was. The pouting voluptuous lips, the flashing blue eyes, the pale, white face, and the long, blonde hair that draped over him like a veil. Desires he hadn't known in years coursed through his veins.
For the first time since meeting him, Kara desired him like no one she had ever met.
While staring into each other's eyes, they were both briefly aware that an arrow was now embedded in the tree that Alain had been standing in front of. Noise exploded around them as savage creatures entered the clearing, waving their weapons. They were about four feet tall, with skin tones ranging from dull red to deep vermilion. Hair sprouted out of disgusting places. Their clothes were strips of cloth around their waists and legs.
Called the scavengers of Krynn, goblins are militaristic creatures that usually lived in secluded clans, and organized raids on neighboring villages. These stray raiders must have been wandering bandits, robbing travelers as they passed through the forest.
Now broken out of their trance, Kara jumped up and drew her cutlass.
"Goblins!" she swore.
Alain also stood up and unsheathed his shining broadsword.
"I warn you," cautioned Alain, moving into a defensive crouch. "We're armed warriors on a quest, and we don't wish to be stopped."
By now, four goblins had surrounded them. They wielded wicked looking two-handed, curved swords, which were used to inflict the most damage using the least amount of skill.
The goblins looked at each other uneasily. They hadn't expected to fight obviously experienced warriors.
"C'mon, don't waste your lives," Alain smiled mockingly.
Twenty goblins emerged behind them, their squarish shoulders rustling the bushes.
"Oh . . . boy," Alain breathed.
"Duck!" Kara yelled, pointing here finger at Alain. Alain ducked just as Kara started to chant in a spidery language. Her soaring voice surprised the goblins, and all they could do was stare.
Her index finger began to glow as she finished her chant. A fiery ball flew from her finger and exploded among the goblins. Dirt, fern, and goblin flew about as the smell of burnt flesh filled everyone's nostrils. Only a few goblins were hurt, while the rest were thrown about by the explosion.
"Holy . . ." Alain started to swear as Kara grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Let's go!" she yelled, spinning him about. The goblins were starting to recover.
Hurriedly, the two ran along the river, towards the waterfall. Sticks, stones, and foliage were trampled upon as the two ran through the forest.
They ran forty paces before five goblins ran out in front of them. Two of the grotesque creatures attacked Kara as three ran towards Alain. Sword raised, the lead goblin attacked Alain first. Sidestepping the goblin's swing, Alain brought the flat of his sword downwards, tripping the goblin. The flailing creature hit his head on a large stone as he fell, effectively knocking himself out. The two remaining creatures swung down simultaneously. Dodging one blow, Alain brought his sword up and blocked the other. A kick knocked the petulant goblin to the ground. A sharp pain reminded him of the other goblin, and he found that there was a small cut across his forearm. He ducked under the goblin's high swing, and brought the hilt of his sword up, clouting the goblin in the chin. The goblin dropped like a sack of potatoes.
Kara jumped over a low swing meant to render her crippled and blocked the swing of the other goblin. Looking backwards, she sidekicked the goblin behind her in the stomach knocking him down. The upright goblin swung again, and she ducked under the blow. Twisting around, Kara delivered a roundhouse kick to the surprised creature. She then hit the creature between the eyes with the hilt of her cutlass. Hearing a rustle behind her, she swung her blade around and beheaded the last goblin. The compact body of the body of the goblin smashed into her, and with a shrill cry, she fell headlong into the raging river.
"Kara!" Alain yelled, trying to reach for her. But the current was too strong, and she swept past him.
"Alain! Get . . . me . . . out of . . . here!" Kara yelled, trying to grab, unsuccessfully, anything near her.
With a thunk!, an arrow slammed into the tree next to Alain.
"Damn!" Alain cursed. Then seeing Kara's fading figure, Alain started to run downstream. Leaves and foliage were battered aside as Alain tore through the forest. Dirt and stone flew in the air as Alain vaulted over a rotting log. Alain's eyes widened as he spotted a cliff.
Blessed Paladine! he realized. It's the waterfall! Kara was approaching the waterfall.
"Dear gods!" Kara sputtered as she saw what was ahead of her.
Dashing forward, Alain dove downwards. His left hand anchored on a tree stump, Alain reached forward with his right.
"Whoa!" Kara yelled as she shot off the waterfall.
Seeing Alain's outstretched hand, Kara grabbed hold of it.
Alain's shoulder screamed in protest as Kara swung around, now hanging by Alain's arm.
"Grab . . . onto . . . that . . . root," Alain grunted, his fingers starting to slip. Kara nodded, and quickly grabbed onto a root protruding from the sheer cliff. Sighing with relief, Kara looked down. The forty foot drop did much to sap her control.
"Whew," breathed Alain, trying to massage his hurt shoulder.
"Finally, easy prey!" tittered a guttural and animalistic voice. Alain turned around just in time to see a goblin emerge from the woods. Seeing his prey unarmed, the goblin immediately slashed at Alain's head. Alain ducked under the savage blow, and could feel the force of the attack over his head. Alain kicked out, but the goblin dodged back. With a snarl, the goblin sliced down. Alain dodged to the right, but the blade caught his left arm, and carved a six-inch bloody line. Alain ignored the pain and swung his fist at the goblin's head. The goblin fell with a groan. Alain nursed his bruised knuckles and bent over the cliff to help Kara.
"Finally," she gasped , reaching up. An earthy tearing sound seemed to echo in their ears.
"Kara!" Alain cried, attempting to grab her.
"Oh no," Kara gasped as the root she had been holding onto tore loose from the cliff. "Alaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnn!"
She fell backwards, arms and legs flailing about wildly. Alain watched in stunned horror as she fell forty feet and hit the water with a loud splash! A huge pillar of water rose up in her wake, and splashed back down again.
"Kara," Alain whispered, clenching his fist. An arrow embedded itself in the ground. Alain looked around and heard the distant stomping of goblins.
Breathing deeply, Alain considered his options. The swirling waterfall stirred uneasy memories in his mind. This isn't the same waterfall! he told himself. Then, making up his mind, Alain took a step backwards, and flung himself off of the cliff.
Spreading his arms like an eagle, Alain arched around, beginning his dive. Noticing his over rotation, Alain bent his body in a ninety degree angle, and rotated faster. With the water coming closer, Alain kicked up, and dived headfirst into the lake.
Immediately, water went up his nose, and his momentum carried him deeper. Flipping around underwater, Alain kicked up to the top. His armor, weapons, and boots seemed like lead weights, and he could barely kick upwards. Bubbles started erupting from his mouth as he ran out of air. Then, when he felt like he was about to drown, Alain broke through the water, and took a gulp of fresh air.
Kara had already surfaced, and was swimming towards shore. On the cliff, the goblins were howling in rage and defeat.
"So you're a mage?" Alain asked as Kara wrapped a roll of bandages around his shoulder.
"No , not really. I just learned some magic in Qualinesti, my homeland," Kara explained as she tightened the bandages. Alain winced at this.
It was now night, and Alain and Kara were huddled around a glowing campfire. With their supplies lost, they made do with their cloaks, and some iron rations.
Kara was bandaging the shoulder wound Alain had received, although he had protested, claiming that it was only a minor wound.
"How about a song," Kara broke in after finishing dressing Alain's wound. "I learned this great one from some kender refugees of the Kender Flight. He called it the 'Afflicted Kender Mourning Song.'"
Alain shrugged, indicating that she go on.
Kara's voice rang clear and true. It seemed to pierce the stillness of the night, and drive back the darkness.

Her enchanting voice died away, leaving on the sound of the crackling fire to shatter the silence. Alain then started to sing. He had an eerie, haunting sadness in his voice.

The hot sun hung above the two travelers, causing rivets of sweat to run down their faces. They had left camp at dawn, neither looking nor speaking to each other.
Finally, Kara couldn't stand the silence between them. Her heart ached sight of the barriers Alain had placed over his hear and between them.
"Look," Kara interrupted. "You have to tell me why you want to kill Ebony. I'm risking my life to lead you to his lair, and I deserve a straight answer."
Alain regarded his guide for a minute, then sighed inwardly.
"Let me tell you a story," he began.
"What are you, one of those flitty bards?" Kara asked sarcastically.
Alain's eyes smoldered with anger, and he turned away in contempt.
"Okay, okay," Kara eased. "I'm sorry. Please continue."
"Many years ago, I was a member of the Legion of Steel," Alain began.
Kara remembered the Legion vividly. She had resided in Solace when Sara Dunstan, a former Knight of Takhisis, had started the knightly order to honor her son: Steel Brightblade. She had even considered joining once, but her wild nature would not permit such a thing.
"We were sent to a small patch of forest bordering Qualinesti to help a ravaged elven House against an marauding black dragon. That dragon was Ebony . . ."

"Dragon!"
Alain immediately whipped around and looked upwards. He drew his long sword and fell back into a defensive crouch as he scanned the skies for any signs of trouble. He glanced at Commander Subliven to make sure he'd heard right, and sure enough, his mentor was looking upwards with grim determination.
Alain's palm was sweaty, and his arm tingled with anticipation. His heart pounded loudly like a drum, and his head filled with thoughts of a dragon with his sword plunged through its dark heart.
A thunderous roar filled the clearing as an immense, black dragon swept over the beautiful aspens of Qualinesti. Its long, angular body glistened in the sun as light glinted off of its shiny, ebony scales. Powerful, bat-like wings flapped continuously, sending up a shower of grass, dirt, and rocks into the Legionnaire's eyes.
The dragon roared again, flashing its dagger-like teeth and massive jaws. It twitched its tail in amusement as dragonfear washed over the armor-clad warriors in the clearing.
Alain gritted his teeth, and tried to fight off the magical fear that churned in the bowels of his stomach. Run! Run! Run you fool! his brain screamed at him. However, his legs felt like lead.
With another ear-shattering roar, the massive behemoth landed amid the fear-frozen warriors.
"For Steel Brightblade, and the Legion!" Commander Subliven yelled as he charged the dragon. Other veterans who had fought dragon's before also broke out of the grips of dragonfear, and charged the black dragon.
Alain heard the scream of his friends and comrades as the dragon tore them apart. His stomach turned at the sight of his friend's blood splattering across the peaceful clearing. His soul shriveled at the sight in front of him, and his mind's defense against insanity kicked in. Alain's heart pounded fiercely, and he gritted his teeth as righteous, vengeful anger infused him and gave him strength.
A roar of rage and pain erupted out of Alain's mouth as he charged the great wyrm. He closed his mind's eye to the dragon's savage claws, which held the tattered remnants of his comrades. He didn't look down at the sight of his friend lying on the ground in a pool of his own blood as he charged the dragon. He saw only the dragon as he leapt up, and swung his blade downwards. The finely tempered steel blade cut a thin streak of crimson down the dragon's leg before the hardness of the dragon's scales shattered the blade like glass.
I hit it! Alain thought as he stared blankly at the remnant of his sword. And it didn't even feel it. Before he could react, a large, black, scaly claw backhanded him. Dazed from the massive blow, Alain went limp as he flew several yards and landed with a cry of pain among the lilacs.
Alain laid there and rapidly began to lose consciousness. His chest hurt; he knew his ribs were bruised badly, if they weren't broken. His scale mail felt like a suit of lead that trapped him to the ground. Dimly, he wished he had a shield, or at least wore a helm. He tried, weakly, to lift his head, and he saw the dragon spot him. The behemoth opened its mouth and prepared to spew forth a spray of acid.
Alain lay there, looking up at the sunny, clear sky, and prepared for death.
An arrow shot from the forest and stuck in the dragon's belly. The wyrm looked down at the puny, insignificant arrow that had stuck in its scales. A thin trickle of blood ran down its belly. Another arrow flew from the forest, followed by another, and another. A rain of arrows flew at the dragon; some bounced off, some broke on the wyrm's steel-like scales, while others stuck in the dragon's hide.
With an angry roar, the black dragon leapt up into the air and spewed a stream of acid into the forest in a futile attempt to hurt its aggressors. Dodging more arrows, the black dragon leapt up into the air, and blocked the sun with its massive body. The immense wyrm flew away from the clearing, and disappeared over the horizon.
A hand hovered over Alain's head. Alain managed to raise his hand, and Commander Subliven pulled him up. Putting his arm around Alain's shoulder, Commander Subliven helped Alain walk towards the forest.
"So boy, what do you think of your first battle with a dragon? Makes you proud to be a Legionnaire, eh?"
Alain looked up at his mentor, and replied, "Mom was right, I should have been a mystic."

"Thank you for saving us Amethyl. I feel funny for saying that, since the High Elder assigned us to help you," Commander Subliven said as he shook the hand of a blonde-haired elf.
"That's perfectly all right. We understand that the Legion has more important matters to deal with then an elven house with a dragon problem. All of Ansalon has a dragon problem!" Amethyl replied smoothly. "Now, how many of your men were wounded?"
"Too many," Subliven answered gravely. "Six dead, twelve wounded."
"Attend to the wounded, and prepare the dead," Amethyl ordered his men. "Commander Subliven, my liege has prepared a banquet for you and your men. Our own supply of warriors was running low, and Ebony would have attacked the manor directly if you hadn't arrived. Now with your forces, I doubt Ebony would dare attack us now. Follow me."
Commander Subliven fell in line behind the row of marching elves. He glanced back at Alain.
"Alain, are you all right?" Commander Subliven asked worriedly as he eyed the limping warrior.
"Yes, Commander Subliven," Alain answered as he hobbled to his mentor's side. He saw Subliven's wrinkled face, and bristling gray mustache crinkle in concern.
He looked all around at the greenery around him. Having grown up in the ardent plains of Solamnia, he had never seen so much green in his life. The strange, almost jungle-like forest of Qualinesti both perturbed him and fascinated him at the same time. From the slender aspens of the clearing to the vine encrusted buttresses, trees surrounded him, closing in one him. He could barely see the sky, for the green seemed to form a ceiling, locking him into its icy grip of death. Birds cawed as monkeys screeched around him, and the very forest seemed alive. He saw the elves ahead of him. Their dark green pants and their bright green tunics seemed to allow them to blend into the forest itself. He didn't see a line of marching elves. He saw shadows flitting among the brush; a hand here, a pommel there.
Vines hung limply from every exposed surface like dead serpents. Moss, lichen, and other scavengers clung tenaciously to every branch, every trunk of every tree he could see. Plants were abound, and the trail in front of him seemed to merge with the jungle. It seemed like steam rose from the jungle itself, breathing its slow, eerie chant. Alain cursed as he stepped in a small mud hole, and had to wipe his feet on the ground. He hated it here; the oppressiveness of the jungle, the looming presence of life seemed to faze the warrior.
Then, the terrain changed. It was so subtle a change that Alain couldn't tell how he had detected it. It was a different scent in the air, the dimming of birdcalls, and the intrusion of sunlight. It was as if the jungle's labored breathing, the jungle's voice had died down into a thunderous silence. The jungle slowly changed before Alain's eyes. Exotic birds gradually faded away, and leaves slowly replaced vines on the treetops. Aspens, and oaks began to frequent the land, as the jungle became, a forest. The sun now shone upon Alain's back and filled him with warmth; not oppressively like the jungle's had been, but peacefully. A new feeling replaced the odd feeling of magic in the air; a feeling of serenity.
And, as Alain gazed wondrously at his newfound surroundings, Amethyl halted the marching men and elves.
"Commander Subliven, Legionnaires, I give you, Qualintheryl Manor!"
Alain was spewed forth from the enchanting forest and greeted with the sight of pearly white gables rising out of the clearing. Spires of marble and limestone rose out of the sharp, crisp grass and into the sky like delicate fingers reaching for the stars. Seven spires soared above the ground and their ivory walls shone like moonlight upon crystal. Graceful tresses and gables lavishly clung to the beautiful mansion, glistening like dew drops on a the petals of a rose. A small stream flanked the manor's left and flowed down a steep precipice to create a magnificent waterfall. To the left there were two large trees, rivaling those of the immense vallenwoods of Solace. A large gazebo had been constructed between the two trees. The landing seemed to be constructed of oak planks, yet the craftsmanship was so exquisite that the balcony seemed to be an extension of the tree itself. There was a large open section in between the two trees, surrounded by various levels. A delicate, yet sturdy railing surrounded the balcony, yet seemed only like natural branches, or vines that held onto the landing tightly.
Alain stared at this wondrous sight in amazement. Never in all his life had he expected to see such splendor. He was led with his fellows up winding steps that wrapped around one of the enormous trees, and stepped delicately on the smooth floorboards of the gazebo. A large table had been placed in the middle of the balcony, and it boasted many delicacies. Alain's eyes widened at the sight of exotic foods that adorned the table like gems on a merchant's hand. Warm, tantalizing scents filled that air, and his stomach reared up and told Alain that it was hungry.
Amethyl walked briskly to a handsome elf dressed in finery and knelt in front of him.
"My lord, I have returned. These are the Legionnaires that the High Elder of Solace sent to help us. May I present, Commander Richard Subliven! Commander, this is Lord Yanthervas Qualintheryl."
"Your lordship," Commander Subliven spoke deeply as he bowed. "It would be my honor to help you in your time of need."
"My thanks Commander. If your reinforcements hadn't arrived, who knew what could have happened," Lord Qualintheryl smiled as he greeted the warrior. His gaze traveled from Legionnaire to Legionnaire, and all could tell that they were being scrutinized. Lord Qualintheryl's gaze stopped at Alain. Alain gulped in apprehensiveness. Then, Lord Qualintheryl moved on, and Alain breathed a sigh of relief. He looked over Qualintheryl. He had auburn hair, and deep, penetrating eyes. He was tall for an elf, almost reaching five and a half feet tall. Alain marveled at the silk that he wore, for it was so luxurious, and so wondrous that he longed to touch such a soft fabric. Qualintheryl's handsome, young face told Alain little. His age was impossible to guess, because humans lived for only a short time, while for elves, the life of a human was the flickering of a candle's light. He could be anywhere from fifty, to five hundred, Alain guessed.
"Ahem," interrupted a low cough, and a robed elf stepped forward. He wore a red robe, with trimmings of gold. Wispy, yellow strands of hair flowed from the hood of the robe like strands of gold. Even a human ignorant of elven physiology like Alain could see that this elf was very young.
"Oh, yes. My guests, this is my chief advisor, and sorcerer, Damethyl Elysiun eth pasalth," Lord Qualintheryl introduced merrily. Damethyl bowed stiffly, then stepped back. An angel emerged from behind the young mage.
"And this, is my daughter, Aileen nasanthet Qualintheryl," Lord Qualintheryl gestured to the elf maiden that stepped out from Damthyl's shadow. Alain gasped as he saw the stark sunlight glint off of her night black hair. It wasn't just the fact that she, an elf, had black hair, which was unusual in itself, but she was also enchanting, like a unicorn, or the pegasi of Darken Wood. Her night-like hair flowed like a ebony waterfall down the sides of her face, and formed small pools of dark water on her shoulders. Her unusually pale skin, the color of snow on a winter's day, contrasted greatly with her hair, yet they seemed to complement each other, like day to night. Luscious, red lips smiled shyly at the metal-wearing savages in front of her, and revealed the gleaming pearls held within. Her small lithe body was covered in a green gown, which seemed to reflect the light from her eyes. And those eyes. Such beautiful eyes. Eyes the color of forest glades, of emeralds sparkling in the sun, of crisp blades of grass that ripened in the morning dew, held flakes of gold and platinum, and emerged from exotically slanted eyes.
Alain's heart seemed to quicken as he stared at her. Her eyes seemed to catch his and peer into the depths of his soul, and he was ashamed, for he had done things in his life that would make any elf faint. Yet he welcomed those eyes, for they seemed to say to him, let go, let go of the past. Let go of the barriers you've put up around your soul, and let me in, and Alain, tired from surrounding himself with fortifications all of his life, complied. Aileen looked into the soul of this man, this human, and saw the unbridled emotions of humans, the turmoil, the hate, the rage, the passion, the love, and then she looked at him, the man, the human, and smiled.
"Alain," grunted Commander Subliven as Alain was pulled from his reverie. "C'mon, let's go eat!"
"Yes, Commander," Alain replied as he reluctantly walked away from Aileen and towards the dinner table. His eyes followed her and hers, him, as they were slowly pulled away from each other. Alain pulled a chair towards him and sat down. Putting his head between his hands, he remembered her smile, and sighed. His father had told him that no good had ever come of love, and that mixing it up with elven and human relationships, would just make it worse.

Alain sighed and drained the contents of his ivory goblet. Commander Subliven was still attacking his plate, making enough noise to wake the dead. Alain saw nearly everyone had finished. He tried his best to ignore his commander as Lord Qualintheryl rose up, and cradled a candle in his hands. Every elf at the table did the same, and soon, only the Legionnaires were sitting. Aileen gazed shyly at Alain, and he realized his mistake. He quickly stood up, and unable to locate any candle's, he fidgeted nervously, and nudged his mentor.
"Oh," Subliven gasped as a drumstick hung in front of his mouth. Looking around, and realizing what was happening, Commander Subliven hastily dropped his drumstick and stood up. With that, all of the Legionnaires stood up.
Lord Qualintheryl smiled good-naturedly at the antics of these primitive humans, and nodded his head at a lone minstrel who stood patiently off to the side. Upon receiving his signal, the elven musician brought a silver flute to his lips. A slow, haunting melody flowed from the instrument, and caused aching in the hearts of all who heard it. Lord Qualintheryl's voice pierced the shroud of silence that had blanketed the dinner table. His light, alto voice rang melodiously through the stillness of the night, and was joined by the other voices of the remaining elves. Alain and the rest of the Legionnaires also joined in, their tenor and bass voices clashing with the high, beautiful voices of the elves. Yet, the two voices, one high and melodic, the other rough and baritone, seemed to work well together, and only served to raise the song up into the night sky.
Together, the humans and the elves sung:

Alain rolled about uncomfortably in his sleeping roll. The tent the elves had supplied him with was stifling. Sighing in exasperation, Alain threw aside the blankets, and emerged from the tent. He blinked uncomfortably while his eyes adjusted to the brightness of the moon. He looked towards Commander Subliven's tent and wasn't surprised to hear snores emanating from the awning loud enough to raise Chemosh.
Rubbing the kinks out of his neck, Alain looked towards the gazebo. His mind was filled with thoughts Aileen. He remembered her dancing eyes and enchanting smile with an ache in his heart. He smiled as he remembered the flash of blue light he had seen on the balcony as he had dragged his drunken commander to his tent.
It was just my imagination, he thought ruefully. Despite his pessimistic thought, Alain's gaze drifted to the balcony that rose above the dining area. His feet lead him towards the landing. The damp grass squished beneath his iron-shod boots. He shivered as the damp evening air penetrated his thin tunic.
A sharp flash of light cut through the veil of drowsiness that blanketed Alain's head. He looked up into the trees that held the large patio, and spotted a blue light shining brightly among the branches. With a shock, Alain realized that the light was coming from the balcony where he had spoken to Aileen. He kicked up damp grass and dirt as he sprinted towards the balcony. He leapt up the wooden stairs that led to dining level. His mud encrusted boots clomped noisily upon the open floorboards. Alain passed by the outer railing, and glanced downwards. A stream poured past the manor and flowed to the precipice where it gushed down the side of the fertile canyon not twenty yards from where he stood. The gushing water hit the large lagoon at about a hundred feet down to the bottom of the canyon. The frothing water reflected the pale, benign, silvery rays of the moon, scattering scintillating rays of moonlight across the gazebo. The trees were aglow in the moonlight, and Alain turned away from the dizzying sight to gaze longingly at the blue light that shone from the treetop.
Alain took the winding steps to the balcony four at a time. Sacrificing subtlety for quickness, Alain dashed up the narrow staircase. Breathing heavily, Alain finally reached the top. He shielded his eyes from the intense blue light, and cautiously stepped forward.
Aileen was standing against the railing, overlooking the lagoon over a hundred feet down. Her beautiful, star-filled eyes were directed at the heavens. She was aglow with a radiant blue light, like she had fallen from a star. Stories of Mishakal the Healer came to Alain's mind as he stared at her, too entranced to make a sound. She held her hands close, and cupped a shining ball of blue light to her chest.
The tip of Alain's boot caught the end of a loose floorboard, and he nearly tripped. Alain balanced himself in time, but the thud of his boots upon the floorboards echoed loudly in the stillness of the night. With a startled gasp, Aileen whirled around, her brightness dimming. The brilliant blue ball of light in her hands fell like an overripe acorn from a chestnut tree and fell off of the balcony. Alain followed the streaming ball of energy from the corner of his eyes and saw it wink out just before it hit the gushing waters of the lagoon. He turned his full attention to Aileen now, who had drawn a jewel encrusted stiletto out from within the folds of her gown. He noticed that she was still radiant, although not with the unnatural brightness of before, and looked resplendent in the silvery light of the pale moon.
"Princess, I'm. . . sorry for the intrusion," Alain stammered as he slowly backed away. "I just saw the, er, light coming from. . . well, um, this balcony, and I came here to , uh, investigate."
To his relief, she lowered her weapon, though only slightly, and smiled at him.
"So, gallant knight, you weren't spying on me?" she teased, as she fingered the stiletto.
"Uh, no," Alain stammered as he blushed furiously. To cover up for his insecurity, Alain changed the subject. "Uh, you know, it isn't. . . um, safe for you to be out here alone, princess."
"Aileen, call me Aileen," she smiled as her eyes locked onto his.
"Okay, um, A-Aileen," Alain stuttered as went red again. He lowered his face to cover his discomfort. When he looked up once more, she was staring at him intensely.
Kiss me. The words rang in his head with the clear resonance of a crystal bell. What? Alain thought as he uneasily looked around. It must have been my imagination.
And then there it was again, not pleading, or forceful, almost as if it were stating a fact: Kiss me.
Alain slowly moved over to Aileen. He gazed curiously into his eyes, as if he were trying to see what was inside. Aware that she was under such scrutiny, Aileen stared back into his eyes. The dampness of the cold wind, the slight rustle of the autumn leaves seemed so far away and distant as a fading dream. All that was real to them was that moment, and each other. Her tiny weapon dropped with a clatter to the floor. Neither Aileen nor Alain noticed.
Once again, more slowly, more softly this time, the words rang in Alain's head: Kiss me.
Alain leaned forward, cautiously, and his lips bushed hers tenderly. Although his bottom lip barely touched her upper lip, his whole body tingled, and he shivered a little bit. He slowly withdrew, and her closed eyes opened once more, and gazed into his. That slight touch, that gentle kiss shook him badly, and two voices screamed in his mind. One telling him to kiss her again, and another telling him to leap off of the balcony and fall a hundred feet into the lagoon. It seemed easier to die than to deal with the unwelcome problems of youth, and if he didn't die, which could only mean that the gods of old had returned, he would at least get a cold bath. Never before in his life had his mind been cast in such turmoil. He had kissed plenty of girls, yes, but that had been pure lust, while this was, this was something as dangerous and domineering as any foe he had ever faced.
Caught up in her eyes, Alain moved in closer to express the passion he felt for this woman in a way words could never do. Then, he stopped, his father's words hung thickly in the air an Alain's doubts assailed him from within. Slowly, Alain backed away from Aileen.
Luckily, Aileen had no doubts. Perhaps, she had forgotten, for one moment, that Alain was human, and that human/elven relationships always ended in tragedy. Perhaps she had forgotten that humans were savage creatures with violent and turbulent emotions; that if she committed herself to this man, this human, then she would have to live with the knowledge that he would grow old and die while she was still in her youth. Perhaps it was the gentle kiss that set her mind on fire, or the tenderness beneath the mental armor he wore, or the way he looked at her. The way that he gazed fondly into her eyes, with such apparent and unwavering compassion and love. Or, perhaps, she realized that love transcended race, and that she loved this man, this human.
Whatever the reason, she wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him passionately. Alain could no longer deny the love that burned deeply in his heart. He wrapped his arms around Aileen's lithe body, and kissed her back. His fingers ran through her silken hair as they were both consumed by passion. They stayed in each other's arms for a period of time that transcended such irrelevant measures as seconds, minutes, or hours.
When they finally released each other, they slowly backed away. Alain nervously wandered to the opposite side of the balcony, and ran through a mental list of words to say. None seemed appropriate, or perhaps, they were all too appropriate.
I screwed up royally, dad, Alain thought as he gazed upwards at the heavens. I did the one thing you told me to never do. I've fallen in love with an elf.
A slender hand gently rested on Alain's shoulder, and broke him out of his reverie.
"You are Alain Dargeth?" Aileen asked curiously as she peered into his eyes.
"Uh, yeah," Alain said hurriedly, uncomfortable because he had shared such an intimate experience with this woman, and he hadn't even told her his name!
"Alain," Aileen asked tentatively as she rested her head upon Alain's chest. Alain wrapped an arm around her. "Do you believe in love?"
Mentally, Alain reeled from the question as if she had struck him. Biting his tongue to keep down a scathing retort, Alain spoke carefully.
"In this world, my lady, one cannot be sure of anything. It's been a long time since I had the faith to believe in anything, especially in something as. . . innocent as love."
"I forget," Aileen began haughtily, pulling on her elven mien. "Human lives are so fleeting that you probably weren't born yet when the gods left the world. Most humans don't have the faith to believe in something they can see plainly, so how could I expect you to believe in love? For a race whose lives their short lives in savagery and indulgence, I would think that you would retain some pretense of spirituality and belief."
Alain's anger flared up, and got ready to vent upon this arrogant elf maiden. To his surprise, the anger died down, and he could do nothing. He just stared at her disappointedly. She was just like every other elf he had ever met. He was a fool to ever think that she was different!
His face grew shadowed with sadness and grief. Aileen felt like she had just kicked a puppy.
"I-I'm sorry Alain," she moaned brokenly as he held him close. "Can you ever forgive me?"
Alain stayed ominously quiet.
"I believe in love Alain!" Aileen cried out. She caressed his face and gently forced him to look her in the eyes. "I love you."
"I may not believe in love anymore," Alain said brokenly. "But I believe in you Aileen."
They kissed again, and held each other in the pale moonlight as they waited for the dawn.

The small campfire flickered and danced, casting shadows around the eerie forest. In the distance, a owl hooted and a wolf howled at the single moon in the stark sky. The day of marching through the verdant forest had been uneventful. Kara was almost bored with the journey.
"We should arrive at Ebony's lair around tomorrow afternoon," Kara mentioned to Alain. "I hope you know what you're doing."
"I know what I'm doing," Alain responded, although Kara detected a hint of doubt in his voice.
"Geez, these rations taste horrible. I sure wish we had some meat," Kara complained as she eyed her cheap iron rations.
A terse silence sprung once again between them. As Alain silently ate his rations, Kara watched him. Her eyes traced over every muscular curve of his body. Kara had been attracted, and hell, even loved her share of men, but Alain was different from any man or woman, any human or elf that she had ever met. An air of melancholy and despair hung over him like a dark shroud. He put up barriers around his heart and soul, and never let anyone in. Yet, for some reason, Kara wanted in. She wanted to know the real Alain.
"So," Kara asked Alain as she sat down next to him. "What exactly is your strategy against a dragon. I'm kind of curious."
Alain looked at her coldly.
"Okay, if you don't want to talk, that's fine with me," Kara sighed in exasperation. "Just trying to lighten the mood."
"I don't actually have a strategy," Alain admitted. "I figured that I was going to go in, and, well, attack."
"You never intended to come back alive, did you?" Kara asked as she finally understood Alain's plan.
"I'm going to try to destroy that evil monster!" Alain spat. "Whether I live or die afterwards is of no consequence."
"Hey, your live matters to me," Kara cried out. "So stop attacking like a brain-dead man and start using your brain!"
A rustling sound interrupted the heated conversation. Kara and Alain both looked into the depths of the dark forest to search for the source of the sound.
"What was that," Alain whispered questioningly.
"Shh," Kara shushed as she continued to listen to the sounds of the forest. She detected a horrid smell lingering just outside of their makeshift camp. It was a familiar smell, one that reminded her of . . .
"Move!" Kara yelled as she dodged to the side. Alain heeded her sudden warning and also flung himself away from the campfire. Alain dove away just as a massive, shaggy creature burst from the forest and into the camp. Roaring and squawking, the large creature thrashed back and forth.
"It's an owlbear!" Kara yelled as she readied an arrow in her long bow.
Alain backed away and drew his broad sword. The creature certainly did resemble a bear. Steel gray and white fur covered this immense creature in tangled mats. Dirt and grim covered its furry hide. The flickering embers of the campfire revealed grimy, yet razor sharp claws. Turning, the creature fixed its hungry, malevolent eyes Alain. Alain could see the owl-like eyes and sharp beak sprouting from the creature's face. Hungrily, the owlbear gazed at its potential target.
Alain backed away as the massive creature prepared to leap at him. Suddenly, the owlbear roared in pain as Kara's feathered arrow shattered its shoulder. Throwing caution to the wind, Alain hurled himself at the owlbear. Avoiding the creature's dangerous claws, Alain buried his sword up to its hilt in the creatures chest. The owlbear gaze a loud snarling sound, and fell heavily onto Alain.
Struggling, Alain attempted thrashed about to bury his sword deeper into the monster's body and the avoid the smothering grip of the owlbear.
"Kara!" Alain grunted as the owlbear's oppressive weight slowly crushed the air out of him. Twisting around, Alain managed to carve a bloody path up the creature's side with his sword. The owlbear roared once again as its hot blood stained the dark earth.
"Kara!" Alain cried as he felt himself losing consciousness. Suddenly, the owlbear was rolled off of him. Alain lay there panting as he attempted to catch his breath. Kara stood over him, a worried look on her face.
"Is it dead?" Alain gasped as he sat up.
"Yup," Kara answered glibly. "And its about ready for cooking!"
"You're going to eat that!?" Alain gasped in astonishment. "Are you crazy? Not only is that thing a monster, but it smells worse than three hundred trolls with a couple of goblins and gully dwarves thrown in for good measure!"
"Hey, you eat whatever you can," Kara shrugged. "Besides, tomorrow's going to be a big day, and owlbear meat actually tastes pretty good."
As Kara began to prepare the owlbear, Alain looked over with disgust. However, his stomach began to rumble. Sighing, Alain moved over to Kara, and began to help her. Working side by side with her, he noticed her brilliant eyes and dazzling smile. He longed to touch one of her golden strands of hair, but he managed to stop himself. Strangely, emotions Alain thought to be long dead arose within his turbulent soul. Dismissing them, Alain turned his attention to the meal.
The succulent scent of owlbear steaks drifted through the camp and into the surrounding wood all through the night.

"We're nearing Ebony's lair all right," Kara remarked as she stood up. The half-elf had been studying the path before them for some time. Alain couldn't tell the difference. The rocky ground that they had come to several hours ago all looked the same to him.
"How can you be sure," Alain asked.
"Trust me," Kara answered with a wry smile. "I know what I'm doing."
As the two proceeded onwards through the hilly terrain, Kara proceeded once again to study Alain. There is something in his eyes, she thought. She continued to study him. Alain was so complex, so different, so driven.
As they neared the dragon's den, Alain's heart began to race. This was the final confrontation. Either Alain or Ebony would die today, and since only rage filled his heart and soul, Alain assumed it would be him. Thoughts of Aileen flooded his mind as he began to notice Kara. The emerging feelings he had for the half-elf were strange, alien, and wholly unwelcome. Still, Alain couldn't shake them as they hounded his soul with guilt.
Tears brimmed in his eyes as he remembered it all. He remembered exactly what had happened that day. That day would forever be burned into his mind.

"Okay men, here's our battle plan," Commander Subliven began. His callused finger traced the map of Qualinesti. "The elves believe that Ebony's lair is around this dense area of the jungle, right Amethyl?"
"That's right Commander," Amethyl acknowledged. "Our elven scouts have detected a drop in the number of wildlife in that area. This probably means that the animals were scared out. Also, numerous scouts have reported that Ebony has been sighted in the vicinity many times. My elven archers will deploy around the northern end. In fact they moved out last night. Your men, Commander, will assault the area directly, from the south."
"Remember men, our primary objective is to find Ebony's lair. If we accomplish that, then we can go to our secondary objective: To kill Ebony. I don't want to have to explain the deaths of my men to the High Elder because some one here wanted to be a hero, got it?"
"Yes sir!" sixty men barked in unison.
"Oh, and by the way Amethyl, what is Ebony, a black dragon, doing in this jungle?" Subliven asked.
"He is after Lord Qualintheryl's enchanted sword," Amethyl answered. "It is an ancient artifact, passed down from generation to generation. It has seen every age visited upon Krynn, and is believed to have been forged by the gods themselves. However, with the passing of the gods, the sword seems to have lost most of its magic. Who can tell why Ebony wants it? Then there's the fact that he's surrounded by Dragon Overlords, and only these forests and Abanasinia remain free. No swamps or marshes unless he wants to deal with Sable."
"Wait, why don't you just give the blasted dragon the accursed sword? You said it's magicless now," Subliven argued.
"With the discovery of sorcery by Palin Majere, there could be a way to check the sword for any residual magical effects. Would you want a magical sword that may just be lying dormant to fall into the hands of a dragon? Besides, it is a family heirloom, and it's a matter of honor."
"I don't like sending my troops up against a dragon because of 'elven pride,'" Subliven sneered. "But I wouldn't want a dragon to get its claws on a magical artifact. Does anyone else have any questions?"
There was a slight murmuring among the Legionnaires, but no one said anything out loud.
"Then let's hitch up our gear and move out!" ordered Commander Subliven.
Alain dashed off with the rest of his comrades to the camp, but then veered off to the forest. His supplies were already packed.
"Aileen!" Alain whispered loudly.
"Over here!" Aileen beckoned from behind an aspen.
Alain dropped his gear and ran to her arms. After a passionate kiss, the two lovers stayed in each other's arms.
"When I get back, we can tell your father," Alain sighed as he wrapped his arms around Aileen. "And then we can be married."
"I don't know," Aileen paused as she snuggled into the crook of Alain's arm. "He's awfully pigheaded, and he doesn't like humans that much."
"We're in love," Alain whispered gently. "I think your father will agree."
"Now who's being naive?" teased Aileen as she playfully kissed his ear.
Alain gazed into her eyes once more.
"I love you," he said. "And I want you to know that I might not come back from this mission."
"Don't say that," Aileen protested. "Of course you're coming back. I have faith in love, and I have faith in you."
They kissed again, and it was a long time before they released each other.
Horns blasted through the air, their noise shattering the quiet of the forest.
"Well, it's time for me to go," Alain said gently.
"Wait," Aileen said softly. She pressed something into the palm of Alain's hand, and then kissed him good-bye. Alain tasted a salty tear run down the side of his mouth. She sobbed briefly, and broke away from his embrace. "Just come back to me in one piece."
With one love-filled look back, Alain picked up his fallen gear. He opened his hand, and found a pin, shaped like a star, glittering with diamonds in his hand. It was attached a thin silver chain which coiled in a mound in his hand. He reverently placed the necklace around his neck, and tucked the jewel into his armor.
"I will wear this always," Alain swore as he began to dash towards the front of the manor, where his comrades were assembling.
As he dashed through the sylvan forest, he thought he caught a flash of red cloth to his right. He stopped and looked, but all he saw was a grove of aspens. Shrugging, Alain ran off again, never noticing the figure stepping out from behind an aspen and making his way to the manor.

The Legionnaires sent a dirt cloud rising into the jungle as they clomped noisily along the scant dirt paths of overgrown Qualinesti. The tattered and ragged leaves of many exotic plants littered jungle floor like the dead on a battlefield. The hot glaring sun glinted off of their steel armor, and more than one warrior had to pour the contents of his wineskin down his breastplate. The humidity of the jungle formed beads of sweat upon the brows of the marching knights, and caused them to constantly pull out a rag and wipe the perspiration off of their faces. Dirty, tired, sweating, sunburned, and ill-tempered, the Legionnaire's cut a ragged swath through Ebony's portion of the jungle.
Alain struggled to catch up with Commander Subliven. He finally reached his mentor, who had been at the front, directing the march.
"Here's a new sword Alain," Commander Subliven grunted as he tossed a sheathed long sword to the approaching Alain. "See that you keep this one in one piece!"
Catching it deftly, Alain lengthened his stride to keep up with his mentor.
"Commander, have you ever been in love?" Alain asked nervously.
"Ah, youth. Obviously your father never sat down with you to get the details straight before he, uh, died. You see Alain, there's the bears and the bees, no wait a moment, the bulettes and the bees. Gods no! Let me see now, the bugbears and the bees? The brutes and the bees?"
"Uh, Commander, I already know about the, um, birds and the bees."
"Birds! The birds and the bees! By Paladine, that's it!" Subliven exclaimed. Seeing the look upon Alain's face Subliven quickly changed the subject, "Alain, I've been married for thirty-two years. You've met my wife Helen. Therefore, you know that any preconceived notions I had about love were quickly squashed under Helen's brutal rolling pin."
Alain rolled his eyes and shook his head slowly. Subliven laid his hand on Alain's shoulder.
"I'm not a wise man Alain, and the gods know I'm not a smart man. But, I believe that love is the one thing that holds this world together. Remember Steel Brightblade's famous words to Chaos: 'All we have is each other.' Love is not perfect, nor is it impervious to harm. Love is something to be nurtured, to be held dear and above life itself. After all, without love, what are our lives worth?"
"Commander, that was beautiful, wise, and insightful," Alain said thoughtfully.
"And if you tell anyone about this conversation, I'll make sure that you'll never get a chance to express your love to a woman, do you get me?!"
"Sure Commander," Alain smiled as he saw his gruff mentor for the sentimental fool he really was.
Alain fingered the starjewel that hung around his neck thoughtfully. A shout suddenly shook Alain from his reverie.
"Knights of Takhisis! Knights of Takhisis!" a scout yelled as he ran towards the marching Legionnaires.
The troop of Legionnaires stopped dead in their tracks with shock. Subliven immediately drew his sword. Alain followed in suit. Behind them, a metallic ring sounded over the forest as the Legionnaires armed themselves. Alain was swept amid the roar of his blood thirsty comrades and was all but carried to the fight. Alain was so nervous that he almost dropped his new long sword. He could see the dark paladins now. Their armor, a hideous, macabre canvas, was adorned with the symbols of their order: the death lily, the skull, and the thorn. Their pitch black armor didn't reflect the searing rays of the harsh sun, instead, their armor seemed to dim the light around them, even as the silver, armor-clad Legionnaire's intensified it. In the blink of an eye, the two armies of gleaming silver, and onyx met, sending the sounds of steel striking steel, of bones shattering, of blood curdling screams of pain booming throughout the steaming jungle.
Alain shuddered as he saw friend and foe alike fall to the ground, with streaming pools of crimson flowing from their veins. He frantically looked from side to side as the knights around him stopped being individual men, and blended into a horrid landscape of green, silver, ebony, and bright crimson.
Alain barely managed to raise his sword to parry as a large black blur swung a streak of steel at his head. Alain's emotions slowly shut down as he was presented with a problem that he could deal with. The instinct of man, the instinct to kill took over as Alain realized one thing: he had to kill, or be killed. He parried another awkward blow, and kicked upwards at his opponents chin. His iron-tipped boots connected with a dull crunch! on the bottom of the knight's hideous mask. The knight fell backwards with a cry of pain onto the green and red grass, and was lost amidst the roar of the pitched battle.
Another onyx blur appeared on his right, and Alain twisted instinctively. A heavy blade dripping with blood, skittered off of his scale mail at a bad angle, and did no harm. Alain used the momentum from his turn and spun all the way around. He lifted his sword and hit the knight at the neckline. Alain turned to face another opponent before the severed head of the dark knight hit the ground.
Alain roared with undirected rage and slashed again and again at any dark figure that he could see. Tears of frustration and anger poured down his cheeks, because he could not kill all of his opponents with one stroke of his blade.
Alain dimly heard someone call for a retreat. Blood poured down from a shoulder wound that he didn't remember receiving. A face broke through his blurred perception of death. A rough hand shook him out of his wild lust for battle. Alain swung around to face his insolent opponent.
"Alain, we have to retreat!" Subliven yelled into Alain's ears as he half dragged his pupil back towards Qualintheryl manor. Now the battle was concluding as the dark knights chased the retreating Legionnaire's into the jungle. The large, bloody skirmish splintered into a confused array of savage duels.
"Commander!" Alain yelled as two knights charged towards them.
"For Steel Brightblade, and the Legion!" Subliven cried as he met the charge of the lead knight. He was obviously the commander of this platoon of dark knights, as he was the only one wearing the stripes that denoted him as a Warrior of the Lily. The two battle-hardened veterans exchanged skilled blows as Alain rushed to meet his own opponent.
The Knight-Warrior grimly saluted him as the two knights circled each other. Alain returned the cheerless salute, and held his blade to the side, to keep it ready to parry any thrust that the dark knight might make. However, the Knight-Warrior feinted to the side, then savagely cut at Alain's leg. Alain overextended his arm to parry the knight's false thrust, but recovered in time to keep his leg from being sliced off. While he was off balance, the dark paladin rushed past Alain's defenses, and slammed his shoulder into Alain's chest. Alain flew backwards and hit the trunk of a moss-covered tree. The shock of the blow stunned him. However, Alain recovered his wits and managed to duck beneath the knight's powerful swing. Alain felt the air parting over his head and heard the crack of shattering bark as the dark knight's heavy sword hacked into the trunk of the tree. Without hesitation, Alain lunged upwards, and thrust his long sword into the stomach of his opponent. The sword pierced the knight's hideous armor, and the knight lay spitted on Alain's sword. A grunt and a kick sent the knight's corpse sliding off of the naked blade. Alain paused to feel his aching chest; where the knight had rammed him. As before, his ribs were bruised. He winced as his touch sent a sliver of pain coursing through his body.
Alain turned just in time to see his commander fall to the ground. Broken bits of his armor hung from him like the tattered clothes of a beggar. His once gleaming armor was now covered in flowing blood. A jagged hole marred his shattered chest. Subliven fell to the ground with a groan.
Alain stood shocked at the sight of seeing his mentor fall in front of him. In the immortality of youth, Alain hadn't imagined that death could affect him so personally. He looked up just in time to see the Warrior of the Lily's sword swinging down towards his head. Alain managed to raise his sword to deflect the blow, however, he parried at a bad angle, and his blade shattered into a million shards of gleaming starlight. A kick to his hurt ribs sent him sprawling to the ground. Alain had the sense to roll forward as the dark knight's sword stabbed into the damp earth where he had just been. However, before he could get to his feet, the dark knight swung the hilt of his sword like a club, and backhanded Alain. The metal crosspiece slammed into the back of Alain's skull with such violence that he was thrown upon the ground. Stars burst before his eyes, and a red hot throbbing racked his head.
So this is what it feels like to die, Alain thought. I wonder if this is how my mother felt? He focused on mental picture of Aileen, and hoped that the end would come soon.
He was dimly aware of a shape flitting through the leaves above him. He heard shouts, and the twang of bowstrings. Strong arms supported him, and lifted him up. Alain was relieved to find that Legionnaire's were holding him. He groaned, and tried to speak, but he could only gasp out, "Subliven", before Alain's world was plunged into darkness.

"Alain," a desperate voice whispered urgently. "Alain!"
Alain realized that he was awake. At least he thought he was. And if he was awake, it meant that he was alive. The ground felt damp and rough to him, like stone. A pungent odor invaded his nostrils, and burned his mind. His tongue felt swollen, and three times as large. It felt as rough as sandpaper, and it scraped the insides of his mouth. He could briefly hear the pitiful sounds of groaning, and the clink of rusted metal next to him. Alain tried to get up, but his arms refused to support him, and he fell to the ground with a cry.
"Alain!"
Alain finally forced open his eyes, and suddenly recoiled as a brilliant blue light stabbed into his brain. The throbbing inside his head began anew, and with a vengeance. His eyes finally got used to the light, and he saw it's source. Aileen was kneeling over him comfortingly; one hand caressing his cheek, the other holding a ball of blue light. Behind her, was a thick oak door.
Alain slowly, and painfully sat up. He now understood why Aileen had brought a light. It was because his surroundings had no windows, or even torches to light it.
"Where . . . where am I?" Alain groaned as the words echoed loudly in his fragile mind.
"You're in the dungeon," Aileen whispered as she wiped away the tears that were streaming down her beautiful face.
"I'm where? I'm in the dungeon?" Alain asked bewilderedly as he looked about. He tried to stand up, but the ground refused to stop moving, so he gave up. He looked down to see his leg chained to the far wall. He looked up and saw the door to his cell wide open. "Why am I in the dungeon?"
At this, Aileen burst into tears. Alain wrapped his arms around her and comforted her as she sobbed.
"My father found out about us," she sobbed. "He claimed that you took advantage of me, and you're sentenced to die in the morning!"
"What?!" Alain asked in disbelief. "He's going to execute me?"
She nodded.
Alain's head spun around and around. Partly because of his encounter with the Warrior of the Lily, and partly because of Aileen's disturbing news.
"He can't be serious!" exclaimed Alain. "We came here to help him! Wait, where are the other Legionnaires?"
"They've been ordered to leave Qualinesti, and return to Solace," she cried.
"What happened to . . . Commander Subliven?" Alain asked, although he already knew.
"My people arrived too late to save him. However, our archers did manage to hold the dark knight's off long enough to rescue you."
"Yeah, so that they can kill me," Alain swore bitterly. "What were those knights doing in Qualinesti anyways? Wait. Of course! When Ebony realized that your father was going to call on the Legion for help, he recruited knights of his own!" He turned to Aileen now. "Ebony's willing to do anything for your father's sword! Why is it so important?"
"It's a magical sword Alain. It has a vast pool of magic, waiting to be tapped by one who has the power. If Ebony got the sword, who knows what he might do!"
"If he sends us away, Ebony will definitely get the sword!" Alain cried out in despair. "And the way things are going, Ebony will attack as soon as possible! How long was I out?"
"Only a few hours," Aileen responded sullenly. "It's twilight now."
"Ebony and his knights will probably attack tonight! We need to get word to my fellow Legionnaires! Did they leave yet?"
"They left over an hour ago," Aileen told him apologetically. "But I can't let you die Alain! I love you."
"I love you too Aileen," Alain nearly sobbed.
"How touching," a voice sneered from the open doorway.
Alain and Aileen jumped, and looked up at the robed figure before them.
"Damethyl!" Aileen cried as she hurriedly got up. "What are you doing here?"
"Checking up on my prisoner, your highness," the mage bowed mockingly.
"You told my father about us?" Aileen asked as her face went livid.
Alain leapt up with a snarl and hurled himself at the mage. However, his chains pulled taut, and he fell just short of the red-robed sorcerer.
"Humans are so savage," he commented lazily, as if bored. "I really don't see how he could have mustered the discipline to cast a spell over you my princess."
"It wasn't a spell!" Aileen protested as she latched onto his arm. "I love him! Please Damethyl, help us! Help us escape."
Damethyl's face twisted in anger as he brushed her aside.
"Love him? What do you mean you love him!" thundered Damethyl. "You're only eighty five years old! You don't know anything about love! He's a human savage, not an elf, not one of the firstborn!"
"What does being elven or being human have to do with love!" Aileen cried. "Besides, if this is how 'civilized' elves behave, spreading bigotry and racism and destroying innocent lives, then I think I'd rather be a human savage!"
Damethyl reeled in shock, as if she'd just slapped him. His pale face turned even more pale.
"Leave us," he said gravely.
Aileen looked ready to argue, but an icy stare cut her off. With tears rolling down her cheeks, she kissed Alain tenderly, and then left the dingy cell. Alain listened until the her footsteps melted away into the darkness before he turned to Damethyl.
"You love her don't you," Alain asked quietly. Damethyl gave Alain a hard look, as if he would kick the helpless Legionnaire. "You're petty jealousy will cost your life, as well as the life of your lord's. Without the Legionnaires, Qualintheryl manor will fall."
"What makes you so special?" wondered Damethyl, as he paced the tiny cell. "What makes you so special that Lady Qualintheryl would fall in love with you?"
"It must be my rugged good looks," Alain commented without humor.
"She was the finest apprentice I ever had," Damethyl sighed. "She even learned how to tap the power of her heart, which is one thing I never mastered. She was the best thing that ever came into my life." "I know how you feel," Alain replied as he brooded.
"Know this knight," Damethyl said coldly. "My magic can keep Qualintheryl manor safe from harm. Once you're dead, and the humans are expelled from elven lands, Aileen will come to love me."
"I thought wizards weren't supposed to be so naive Damethyl," Alain jeered. "Maybe there's some human in you!"
A stinging blow to the head was all that rewarded Alain's taunt. Alain stared daggers at Damethyl's back as he watched the wizard exit his cell. He heard the sound of a key being turned in the lock, and sighed in despair as he heard Damethyl's footsteps echo down the hallway.

Alain woke groggily as he heard someone frantically trying to unlock the door to his cell. He heard the click of a lock opening, and grimaced from the excess of torch light that spilled into the musty cell when the door swung open. Shouts and screams dimly sounded in the far off distance. Smoke began to creep into the cell.
"Alain!" cried Aileen as she burst into the cell. The flaring light of the torches spilled into the dark room, banishing the looming shadows of the unknown. The erratic light flowed from her once silken hair, now covered in leaves and filth, down the sides of her tear-stained face, and spilled onto her elegant, clinging gown, now torn and covered in grime. Sobbing slightly, she leapt into his arms, and clung to him.
"Aileen, what's the matter? What's happened?" Alain asked worriedly as he stood up to embrace her.
"The manor is being attacked Alain!" Aileen sobbed as she clung to him. "Knights of Takhisis are coming through the woods! Amethyl doesn't think we can repel all of them."
"I have to get word to my comrades! Without the help of the Legion of Steel, Qualintheryl manor will fall!" Alain cried. "Aileen, do you have the keys to my chains?"
"Yes," Aileen exclaimed excitedly as she fumbled with a set of ornate iron keys connected by a single band of steel.
A large tremor rocked the ground, and the two lovers were sent tumbling to the ground. The keys flew out of Aileen's hands and landed with a dull clink on the other side of the cell. Dust, rock and debris poured into the room and rebounded off of the cell's walls. A steady stream of water poured across the stone floor, and rapidly grew in depth.
"Aileen, what's happening?" Alain asked frantically as he shielded her from the flying debris that flew in the air like arrows. He struggled to pick Aileen up, but the weight of the chains and the deepness of the rising water pinned him down.
"The dungeon is right next to the moat!" Aileen explained. "The dark knights must be using siege weapons! They've broken through the outer wall! If we don't leave now, we'll drown!"
"Where are the keys?" Alain asked frantically as he struggled to his knees.
"I lost them!" Aileen cried out in anguish. Then she dove head first into the chilly water that swirled around their waists.
"Aileen! Wait!" Alain called out to stop her, but she had already dived down into the murky water. After several agonizing moments, Aileen's head popped up with a splash out of the water. Her breath came in shallow gulps, and she was shivering.
"Did you get them?" Alain asked frantically as the water surged past his waist.
"No! I'm going back," Aileen replied as she took in a few deep breaths to saturate her lungs with air. Her hand slipped into and then out of Alain's hand as she dove back into the murky water. By now, the water was reaching Alain's neck. Alain tilted back his head and desperately sucked in air. Moments later, Aileen emerged again from the water. She coughed hoarsely as she fumbled with the ornate keys in her hands.
"Hurry!" Alain gurgled as the water began to close around his face. Aileen ducked under the freezing, murky water yet again, and tried to find the keyhole for Alain's locks. Alain caught one last gulp of air before his head was swallowed up by the swirling water. Aileen's hands shook frantically, even underwater, as she struggled to find the right key. Her supply of oxygen was rapidly depleting, and the numbing cold was sending her into a state of paralytic shock. Alain's lungs burned as he struggled to keep his mouth shut. At last, one of the keys slid into the lock, and a dull click! resounded through the water. With a yell, Alain burst out of the frigid water, only to hit his head on the ceiling.
"Oh no!" gasped Aileen as she surfaced and gasped for air. "The water's almost at the ceiling."
"We'll have to swim for it!" gasped Alain. Grabbing Aileen's hand, he took a deep breath, and sank beneath the water. Aileen followed quickly, and the two began to make their way down the corridor. Aileen cast a bluish ball of light to light the path before them. The magic cast a eerie light upon everything, causing the floating objects in the corridor to seem like the denizens of the Abyss. Quickly, Alain swam towards the stairs that led up to the manor. He grasped the banister, and was about to pull himself up when a dull explosion rocked the dungeon. Rocks broke loose from the dungeon walls, and flew with murderous intent towards the two. Alain tried to maneuver up the stairs, when a fierce undercurrent whipped his feet out from under him.
Aileen clung to the wall as the current threatened to whip her along like a twig in a storm. A large rock struck Alain in the arm, and his hold weakened. He tried to pull himself up, but the current was too strong, and his grip broke. Aileen hurriedly darted towards him, and managed to grasp his wrist. Her other hand held onto the banister for dear life, as the current was now affecting them both. Alain steadied himself along the wall, and managed to also grasp the banister. With one last desperate grunt, Alain pulled himself out of the water, and onto the stairs. While gasping for air, Alain bent over, and pulled Aileen up.
"T-the w-w-water's rising too quickly," Aileen gasped as she shivered uncontrollably.
"We've got to get out of here Aileen," Alain cried. "The whole place is falling apart!"
"I'm not leaving without my father!" Aileen cried defiantly.
"Aileen, I can't leave you, but our only hope is if my company is still around!" Alain admonished.
"Go then," Aileen cried. "Go."
"Aileen, I . . ." Alain began.
"You've got to go!" she yelled. "If you love me, you'll go."
The water now surged ferociously past their knees. The clanging of swords, the yells of the wounded, and the battle cries of the victorious reached their ears. The Knights of Takhisis had breached the manor's defenses.
"Go," Aileen whispered.
Alain nodded, and dashed up the stairs. His footsteps echoed in the gathering darkness, and faded into silence. Sighing, and close to tears, Aileen opened a secret door in the wall next to her, and stepped through.

"Father! Father!" Aileen cried as she stepped into her father's chambers. At any other time, Lord Qualintheryl's quarters would have been bathed in light from two enchanted orbs that hung on the ceiling. Now, the entire apartment was bathed in darkness. The eerie darkness warped the room's supposed normality, and created a world alien to her.
"Aileen!" a voice cried out in agony. "Help me!"
"Father?" Aileen whispered cautiously. "Father, is that you?"
"Yes child, it is. Help me."
Aileen dashed over to a large bookcase that had fallen. She could see her father trapped beneath the heavy object, and rushed to help.
"Father, are you all right?" Aileen asked worriedly as she knelt to help her father.
"Look out!" he gasped as he struggled to indicate behind her.
Aileen twisted around too late as a gloved hand wrapped around her wrist with an iron grip. She was dragged to her feet and faced with her captor: a Knight of Takhisis.
"You bastard!" she spat as she struggled against his grip.
"My order's were to kill all who resist, lady," the knight breathed mockingly. He held her up to his face, so that she could see every detail of his skull-like face plate. "I guess that now, that would include you."
He raised his sword menacingly, and brought it towards her head.
"Back off," a voice demanded as it cut through the stillness.
As the knight turned to look, Aileen rammed her heel down on the knight's foot, and threw herself away from him.
The knight reacted just as Alain rammed into him. The force of the blow sent the two tumbling to the ground. However, the knight had a weapon, and managed to throw Alain off of him. Alain regained his balance just as the knight thrust with his long sword. Alain managed to dodge the thrust, but a well-aimed kick sent him scurrying backwards.
"Give him the sword," gasped Lord Qualintheryl as he pointed to a sheathed, ornate broadsword that lay inches from Aileen's hand. Aileen picked up the sword, and quickly tossed it towards Alain. Alain darted forward, but the knight was quicker. The knight swung his sword in an arc, managed to knock the sword away. The ornate elven broadsword landed away amid the pieces of a broken dresser.
"I don't suppose you'd let me get that, would you?" Alain asked as he warily eyed the knight's sword. The knight barked a small laugh, and thrust again at Alain. Alain leapt backwards, and landed on his back on a thick table. Alain dodged another crushing blow by flipping over the table onto his feet. Moving with precision, Alain shoved the table into the knight, forcing the knight to back up. However, the managed to stabilize himself, and began to push back on the table.
Alain desperately tried to push harder, but it was clearly evident that the knight was winning this shoving contest. Frantically, Aileen looked around. Spotting a platinum statue of Kith-Kanan, Aileen decided to act.
"Give in to the Queen's will!" growled the Dark Knight. "Submit, or die!"
"Shut up and fight!" growled Alain as he was being slowly pushed backwards.
A statue flew across the room and hit the knight in the back of the head. Taking advantage of the knight's moment of weakness, Alain flipped the table over, causing the knight to receive yet another blow to the head. Alain then rammed the table, knocking the knight to the ground.
"Curse you!" spat the knight as he struggled to get up.
Alain paid no attention to the knight, and leapt for broadsword. He managed to reach it just in time.
"Now, let's fight," Alain growled as he unsheathed the glowing broadsword. The knight charged with a roar, and hacked savagely at Alain's head. Alain managed to deflect the blow, and lash out with a sharp kick to the knight's knee. The knight emitted a cry of pain as he fell to one knee, and lashed out wildly. Alain parried the desperate blow, and twisted the knight's sword out of his hand. A well placed blow to the head with the flat of the blade sent the knight into unconsciousness.
"Are you okay?" Aileen asked as she ran up and hugged Alain.
"Yes, I am now," he smiled.
"Hey, weren't you supposed to look for your Legionnaire friends?" she asked.
"Actually, they came looking for me," Alain grinned. "Right now, my comrades are holding off the Knights of Takhisis. With your elven warriors, we should be able to defeat them.. But we still have to get out of here. It's not safe."
"My father's trapped under that bookcase," Aileen cried. "C'mon, you have to help me free him."
"It's too late for that, my daughter," Lord Qualintheryl sighed.
"Father!" cried Aileen. Her elven eyesight could detect the steady flow of blood running out from under the bookcase. "No!"
"My lord, is their anything I can do for you?" Alain bowed reverently.
Lord Qualintheryl looked sternly and grimly at the warrior, then sighed.
"Do you love my daughter?" he asked.
"Yes, my lord. I do," Alain replied softly.
"Then you have my blessing, as well as my dowry," he gasped, as a rivet of blood leaked out of the corner of his mouth.
"Father, no!" cried Aileen as she tried to throw herself onto her father. However, Alain held her back, and hugged her.
"Aileen, he's gone," Alain comforted. "But we have to go now."
Aileen closed her eyes, and took several deep breaths.
"Are you okay?" Alain asked.
She just nodded.
"Then let's go. We've got a battle to win."

Alain ducked under the massive swing of the Dark Knight, and drove the enchanted broadsword upward into the knight's breastplate. The blade passed through the steel armor easily, parting it like water. Blood spurted up, drenching Alain as the knight continued to spasm. Driving his shoulder forward, Alain hurled the knight over the railing of the landing and cast the body down to the swirling waters nearly a hundred feet down. Alain whirled and met the thrust of another ebony-clad opponent. Around him, the bellows of his fellow Legionnaires, as well as the cries of the courageous elven warriors, rallied, and fought against the forces of darkness.
The arrival of the Legionnaires had shocked the Knights of Takhisis, just as the presence of the Dark Knights had shocked the Legionnaires in the morning skirmish. The Legionnaires had returned to demand the return of their comrade, and now commanding officer. However, upon seeing the manor under siege, the Legionnaires and the elven guards had set their differences aside, and fought as one. Now, the forces of light had forced the Dark Knights onto the gazebo spanning the two huge trees.
Aileen stood amid the ruins of her home. It's golden spires had been shattered. The once pristine beauty it held was now forever lost. Her life was just like that house, and now it stood in shambles. All she had ever known was destroyed. Her father was dead. And the only person who could touch her heart was fighting for his life. She strained once again to catch a glimpse of the battle at the gazebo, but the elves assigned to guard her blocked her view.
Alain spotted Damethyl staggering onto the landing.
"Damn," he swore as he kicked another felled opponent off of his sword. Running towards Damethyl, Alain spotted a Dark Knight lunging at the disoriented mage. With the speed of thought, Alain hurled his broadsword at the knight. Damethyl collapsed in shock as the broadsword flew over his head and struck the knight in the chest. The knight fell over with a groan.
"Damethyl, where've you been?" Alain asked as he pulled the magical broadsword out of the corpse. "We could really use some of your magic right now!"
"They ambushed me," he winced as he felt the bruise on the back of his head. "Where's the princess Aileen?"
"She's safe, sir mage," Alain responded curtly. "Now, can you overcome your prejudices and jealousies to help us out?"
Damethyl began to reply when a loud and angry roar drowned out the elf's words. A black shadow, darker than the blanketing night, began to blot out the light of the stars. Dragonfear seared the warrior's of both sides like a knife. With another angry roar, Ebony dove towards the landing.
"Move!" Alain roared as he shoved Damethyl out of the way. Moments later, searing, acid dragonbreath rammed into the spot they had just been standing in, punching a jagged, smoking hole into the gazebo.
"We have no chance against him if he remains in the sky!" hissed Damethyl. "I'll have to lure him down!"
"Legionnaires! Elves of the House Qualintheryl" Alain cried as he raised his sword. "Rally around me!"
With that, all of the Legionnaire's and elves began to disengage the Dark Knights, and move towards Alain.
As the elves and Legionnaires backed away, the Knights of Takhisis began to move. Quickly, they reached the forest, and disappeared into the woods.
"We're done here!" A Knight-Warrior cried out. "Retreat!"
"What are they doing?" Damethyl asked Alain.
"They've already completed their mission," Alain spoke grimly. "They've weakened our forces, and brought us all to one place."
Now, only the forces of light stood on the landing amid death and destruction. Only the forces of light stood against the dragon.
"You!" Ebony spat at Alain. "You who wields what is rightfully mine! What is your name?"
"I am Alain Dargeth!" Alain cried out in defiance. "And if you want your sword back, you're gonna have to come and get it!"
"Gladly," Ebony hissed as he dove towards the assembled mortals. Opening his massive jaws, Ebony spewed forth a gushing stream of acid at the assembled warriors. The stream of acid struck the warriors on the landing with massive force, obliterating them. Grinning evilly, Ebony looked again, only to find a large, smoking hole in the landing. There was no sign of his enemies.
A searing pain suddenly struck his wing. Ebony roared in pain, and tried to stay in the air, but the pain forced him downward. With a great bellow, Ebony crashed into the gazebo with a bone-shattering force.
"Good illusion!" Alain commented as he congratulated Damethyl. "And that light beam seemed to really annoy him."
All eyes trained on Ebony as the black dragon began to rise.
"Attack," Alain ordered.
With that, the elves launched their arrows at Ebony. The streaks of wood and metal lodged in Ebony's scales, causing rivets of blood to pour down the dragon's side. The Legionnaires bore down upon the dragon like a tidal wave, and struck with a fury. With a mighty roar, the two forces clashed amid ringing steel and deadly claws. The skilled swords of the Legionnaires left streaks of bright crimson dancing across the dragon's hide, while Ebony's dark claws tore chunks in the Legionnaire's formation.
"You're the only one who can stop him!" hissed Damethyl. "You have the sword!"
Alain looked down at the magical broadsword and then back up at the dragon. Ebony was shredding the Legionnaires as they attacked, and the elves were faring no better. Alain prepared himself mentally to attack, when a voice broke through his concentration.
"Alain!" Aileen cried as she leapt into his arms.
"Aileen, what are you doing here?" Alain asked. "You're supposed to be safe from the fighting."
"I need to be here with you," Aileen returned. "I can't just stand by and watch you risk your life."
"Enough!" growled Damethyl. "You two must flee! I will fight Ebony! Withdraw your men Alain!"
Alain looked into Damethyl's cold eyes, and saw his resolution.
"Fall back!" Alain called out to his men. As the Legionnaires and the elves fell back, Alain could see that they had sustained massive casualties. Gashes also lined Ebony's sides, but the dragon was still standing.
"Ready to give up?" Ebony snarled menacingly.
"Not yet!" Damethyl cried out, as he sent a lance of light ramming into Ebony's nose. Ebony fell back with a roar as the smell of burnt flesh filled the air. Ebony landed with an earth-shattering crash that rocked the landing. Aileen gasped as one of the support pillars snapped in two. The landing began to sway dangerously like a drunken fop.
"We've got to get off of here!" Aileen cried.
"Everyone, move to safer ground!" Alain ordered over the din of battle. Moving towards Aileen, Alain choked back tears. "You've got to go with them."
"But what about you?" she asked as she caressed his cheek.
"I have to help Damethyl," Alain stated grimly. "Good-bye, and remember, I love you."
Before Aileen could object, Alain hurled himself off of the balcony, and onto the main floor of the landing. Landing in a crouch to absorb the impact, Alain drew the magical elven blade from its scabbard, and charged Ebony.
Ebony spewed a stream of acid towards Damethyl, but Damethyl disappeared before the acid could reach him. The wasted acid burned through several more support pillars, causing the landing to sway alarmingly. Damethyl re-appeared to Ebony's left, and sent another shaft of light into Ebony's side. Ebony roared in anguish and prepared to tear Damethyl to shreds. However, a deeper pain struck Ebony, as Alain rammed the magical broadsword into Ebony's back.
Twisting savagely, Ebony hurled Alain onto the deck and leapt into the air. His wings beat ferociously as Ebony sought to gain altitude. Alain struggled to regain his footing, but the swaying landing made it hard for him to get up. Abruptly, the landing groaned in pain as the deck began to splinter into two sections. Large splinters shot up into the air like wooden spears, as a large, jagged rift erupted from the landing's center and threatened to split the wooden structure in two.
"Damethyl!" Alain shouted. "Get out of here! The landing is going to-"
Abruptly, Alain's words were cut off as Ebony's wildly flailing tail knocked the warrior off his feet and tumbling to the deck. With a feral snarl and an evil grin, Ebony launched himself at the defenseless warrior. Suddenly, a bright blue light flared in Ebony's eyes. Howling in pain and blindness, the great black wyrm crashed to the ground with a deafening roar, and shattered the remaining stable areas of the landing.
"By the gods!" Alain cried out as the landing tilted and slid him toward a long fall into turbulent waters.
"Alain!" Aileen cried out as she rushed to his side. Using one hand as leverage, the elven princess reached over and grabbed hold of Alain before he could fall off the titling landing.
"Aileen! What are you doing here?" Alain gasped. "You'll be killed! You have to leave, now!"
"No!" she cried out hoarsely. "I won't leave you!"
Meanwhile, Ebony picked himself up from the crazily tilting platform, and shook his head to clear away the temporary blindness. Snorting and snarling in fury, the black dragon continued to lash about in an attempt to wreak vengeance on the person that blinded him.
"Foul wyrm! You shall never again dare to desecrate elven grounds!" Damethyl cried as he sent another lance of light burning into the dragon's shoulder. Roaring with pain, the wyrm whipped around with a fury, and lashed out with its razor sharp talons. Weakened from both the battle and repeated magic use, the elven sorcerer could only watch in horror, as the midnight black claw caught him in the side, and tore him apart.
"Damethyl!" Aileen cried out in anguish as she watched her former mentor scream in agony. Tears rolled down her pale face and reflected the light of the dying moon.
Suddenly, the landing groaned, and split. The movements of Ebony had caused even more damage to the shaky structure. Now, wood cracked and rope snapped as the wooden structure began to fall apart. "We've got to get to higher ground!" Alain growled as he attempted to pull himself up. He could see the elven warriors and his Legionnaire troops trying to cast ropes in their direction. However, it was no use. The ropes were too short.
"Alain, I love you," Aileen whispered as the wood snapped all around them.
"Aileen, don't say-" Alain began, when the landing buckled beneath the two lovers. A loud snap audible throughout the forest racked the landing. Ebony roared in impotent fury, and launched himself from the landing. Without his weight as a counter-balance, the landing collapsed in on itself, and began to fall. "You've won this round mortals!" Ebony roared. "But that elven sword will be mine!"
With another ear-shattering roar, the wyrm disappeared into the gathering darkness.
"Hang on," Alain pleaded. "Just a little longer!"
The starjewel pulsated as if it were alive, and beat in tune with his heart. It flared with blue light that nearly blinded them. A warmth spread throughout their hearts, souls, and minds, accompanied by a strange peace.
Another crack rocked the landing. The entire structure ripped itself apart, and fell like a star from the night sky. Alain reached out desperately for Aileen as they fell amid the raining debris. As wood chips and splinters pummeled his face, Alain caught Aileen's hand. His eyes met hers. Her luminous eyes were wide open, yet devoid of fear. Rather, they held more of a sense of peace. Abruptly, her hand was torn from his and replaced roar of the waterfall. All Alain could see was the blue light from the starjewel. The light filled his vision, and became all their was for him.
Then there was nothing.

The sun flared high in the heavens, looking like a bloody smear on a cloud-filled canvas.
Alain had been quiet for the last few hours. Kara had been struggling with the emotions within her. Unknown to her, Alain had been doing the same thing. Kara thought back to Alain's story, which was his motivation for throwing his life away. Sighing, she decided to break the ice.
"Giving your life to avenge the death of your true love," Kara sighed with a faint trace of bitterness. "By the gods that's romantic."
"There's nothing romantic about it," growled Alain.
Kara suddenly stopped. She detected an acrid scent in the air. She noticed that the birds were no longer singing, that the animals of the mountain were no longer frolicking about in the wilderness. She smelled death drifting in the air.
"We're near Ebony's lair," whispered Kara. She loosened her sword in her scabbard.
"What're you doing? You're not going in," Alain whispered.
"Yes I am," Kara protested fiercely. "You know you don't stand a chance against Ebony without me!"
"And I would do better with you at my side?" Alain asked sarcastically.
"Hey, I know magic. I'm the only chance you have of defeating Ebony," pouted Kara.
"What makes you so eager to take on a black dragon?" Alain asked suspiciously.
Why do I want to help this warrior? Why do I feel so drawn to him? she wondered. But she didn't voice her doubts. Instead, she said, "I could find my uses for my half of the treasure."
"You can have all of it," Alain growled. "That's not what I came here for."
Your vengeance is your one weakness. It may prove to be your undoing, she thought. And perhaps, mine as well.
"There's the lair!" Kara cried.
Alain pointed at the gaping hole in the side of the mountain. A phalanx of Solamnic knights could walk abreast into the cave, as could a storm giant without stopping to duck. Fragments of bone littered the ground like some gory mat spread before the opening of the lair. The stone that made up the sides of the cave were irregular and distorted, as if it had been liquefied and then re-hardened. An acidic smell drifted from the opening of the cave and burned their nostrils. A bitter, ashy taste filled their mouths as a searing heat seemed to scorch them.
Alain grunted a response, and then marched towards the lair.
Kara stared at Alain as he approached the dragon's lair. Alain rested his hand on the handle of his sword, and breathed in the acidic fumes emanating from the cave. The acrid gas burned his nostrils, yet he liked the smell. It was the smell of revenge.
"You , we, don't have to go in there you know," Kara whispered. "Let's go of the past Alain. Let go of the pain. You're alive, and have your whole life in front of you. Don't waste it. Don't waste . . . us." Alain turned around and faced her. He saw the emotion bubbling in her eyes.
The starjewel under his armor flared to life, casting a soft, blue glow. However, Alain ignored the sign.
"You can't understand," he whispered gently, caressing her cheek. "Your whole life wasn't destroyed."
He tried to turn back towards the cave but Kara placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You can't deny that there's something between us," she breathed, cupping his face in her hands. "You can't hide the turmoil, the passion I see in your eyes. No, don't turn away. We both have . . . feelings for each other. Stop pushing me out Alain, and let me into your soul, your life. Let yourself love again, and let me love you."
Alain gazed at her face and wiped away a stray strand of hair that had fallen over her eyes.
"I forgot how to love the moment Aileen died," Alain said softly, then turned around, and walked towards the dragon's den.
"You may want to believe that Alain Dargeth, but we both know that it's not true," Kara whispered. Then, she unslung her bow, and followed him into the darkness.
Slowly, cautiously, the duo entered the lair of the dragon. Alain winced at every crushed bone, every kicked pebble that they caused upon entering. The snapping of a twig, or the jostling of armor could give them away. Alain's forehead was beaded with sweat. His only chance was the element of surprise, his magical broadsword (of which he knew nothing about), and a half-elf sorcerer whom he had unknown feelings for. Darkness and despair washed over him like a tidal wave.
"Alain, you're blind in here!" whispered Kara. "You'd better let me lead. You know, my elven eyesight and all."
Alain nodded, and hand in hand, they walked deeper into the dragon's lair, and into the depths of Alain's soul.
He could hear the dragon now. It was taunting him.
Alain . . . I'm here.
Alain's heart quickened. Sweat ran down his face in rivets. His grip on his sword tightened until his knuckles grew white from exertion. Something stirred in his mind like a returning nightmare. It snaked around his mind like a serpent, erupting into his thoughts and disrupting his concentration. It was the memory of a magical broadsword, of the death of a lover, and of an immense, black dragon.
Too late did Alain think to turn back, to bury this horror and never revisit it again. Too late did Kara notice that her elven eyesight was failing; that magic was sizzling in the air. A magic surpassing hers; a magic borne of centuries of malevolence; a magic as old as the mountains themselves.
"Shall we have light?" boomed a loud, guttural voice. Alain and Kara flinched at this, and waved their weapons around blindly, trying to find the source of the voice.
Fire flared up all around the cavern. Torches on the walls ignited for no apparent reason. Their eyes were unprepared for such light, so Alain and Kara had to squint to be able to see without pain. They were in a large cavern. Nearly two hundred feet in diameter. The jagged, rocky ceiling loomed more than fifty feet above them. The ground was littered with coins; some piles reaching two stories in height! Most of the coins were gold and silver (two coins of nearly no value on Ansalon), but there were also large piles of steel and platinum pieces. Bits of colorful, sparkling gemstones added flavor to the hoard. A diamond as big as a dwarf's fist sat in one pile, and a ruby as large as a finger lay in another corner. Shields, swords, and bits of armor also littered the dragon's lair, as did the bones of the adventurers who wielded them. in the middle of the cavern lay Ebony. Nearly fifty feet long from snout to tail, and with a sixty foot wingspan, Ebony was considered an extremely young , and small example of his race(which means that he probably wasn't a day older than six centuries). His dark, glossy scales shined in the torch light. His horns were white, like ivory, and protruded wickedly from his skull. Small drops of acid dripped from his gaping maw full of razor sharp, two-foot long fangs, and burned small holes in the ground.
"So, you're back to return my sword Alain," chuckled Ebony. "And who have you brought with you? A half-elf? Another one of your lovers for me to kill? Alain, you shouldn't have!"
Dragonfear washed over Kara like a tidal wave, but she tried to fight it. She struggled to raise her longbow and fire an arrow at the dragon.
Alain had no trouble fighting the dragonfear. His rage filled him with righteous anger and hatred. He let out a roar and charged Ebony. He ran for about three seconds before Ebony's tail crashed into his stomach, and he flew backwards. Alain landed with a crash among Ebony's treasure.
"You haven't learned anything in all these years have you Alain?" Ebony roared tauntingly.
Kara conquered the dragonfear and let loose her arrow. Her aim was true, and it hit Ebony's neck. the arrow stuck there, looking puny among Ebony's scales.
Ebony turned from Alain, and snaked his serpentine head towards Kara. "It seems history is repeating itself."
Realizing that her bow and arrows weren't going to much damage against Ebony, Kara dropped her longbow and started to sing. It was an inspirational war song from ages past, when elves fought alongside humans, and triumphed over dragons. Her voice rose like a silver bell and resounded all around the cavern walls.
"What are you doing?" rumbled Ebony as he prepared to decimate the half-elf before him with his acid dragonbreath. The air seemed to crackle with magical energy as a small flicker of flame appeared on Kara's finger. It grew into a large ball of luminous fire.
Ebony roared again and opened his mouth. The fireball erupted from Kara's finger and exploded in Ebony's face. Ebony fell backwards with a roar of surprise, toppling countless piles of coins and gems. The smell of burnt flesh drifted through the air and quickly filled the small cavern.
"You killed him!" exclaimed Alain as he got up.
"I don't think so!" yelled Kara as she drew her cutlass.
Ebony rolled onto his feet, his massive tail spilling coins everywhere. He crouched into a cat-like stance, and unfurled his bat-like wings. His blood red eyes stared icily at the two heroes as acidic vapors rose from his nostrils.
"I am not amused."
Ebony opened his mouth and spewed a thick, boiling stream of acid at the pair. Kara pitched forward into a somersault, and popped back up onto her feet. The acid splashed over her head, and hit the cavern wall. Alain dodged to the side to avoid being doused by the acid and charged Ebony. Years of pain and horror, of waking up in the dead of night and screaming erupted out of his mouth. He could not remember the deadliness of Ebony, or even the feelings he had for Kara. All he could see was Ebony, and with a mighty roar, Alain slashed at Ebony's leg. The magical broadsword cleaved a thick line of red across Ebony's leg. Ebony roared in anger and pain. His razor sharp claws slashed downward at Alain, yet missing him as Alain dodged aside at the last moment. Oblivious to the danger, Alain hacked again and again at Ebony.
Meanwhile, Kara ran behind Ebony and tried to hack at his enormous tail. Unfortunately, the cutlass skittered off of his thick scales ineffectively.
Ebony, ignoring Kara, spoke a magical word, and a bolt of lightning arced towards Alain. Alain ducked under the bolt, and it struck a pile of coins, reducing them to molten slag. Alain roared again and slashed at Ebony's unprotected stomach. The magical broadsword bit deeply into Ebony's unscaled belly, and a shower of crimson dotted Alain's face, and ran down his armor.
Ebony roared again, a shock wave of sound that left Alain's eardrums ringing and ineffective. Ebony launched his head at Alain like a python attacking its prey. His massive mouth snapped at Alain. Alain jumped backwards, narrowly avoiding the row of dagger-like teeth that grazed his arm. A thin trickle of blood flowed from the six-inch gash on his forearm. Alain slipped on a gold piece, and fell backwards.
Ebony reared his head back, and opened his mouth. Small drops of acid began to fall from his fanged mouth as he prepared to sear Alain with his dragonbreath. At that moment, a fireball exploded at Ebony's head. Ebony breathed a stream of acid upward, his aim disrupted by the fireball. The acid coated the jagged ceiling, causing masses of volatile liquefied rock, and black acid to rain down upon Alain, Kara, and Ebony.
A half-melted rock fell towards Alain, and he rolled out of the way just as it shattered on the ground where he had just been. Kara ran to him, and helped him up.
"We've got to get out of here!" yelled Kara as she tugged on Alain's arm.
"Not until I've killed Ebony!" roared Alain.
Kara reached into a pouch on her waist and extracted a large bottle.
"Throw this! It's called 'Bottled Dragonbreath!'" Kara exclaimed as she tugged him towards the cave's exit. "It'll-"
A large rock fell from the ceiling and hit her in the back and her left leg. She collapsed onto the ground and hit her head. She didn't get up. Several rocks smashed around them. The cavern started to shake as the cavern slowly collapsed. Alain heard Ebony roar in pain as several sharp rocks dug into his spine.
"Kara! Kara!" yelled Alain as he shook the unconscious half-elf. He then picked her up, and pried the bottle of "Bottled Dragonbreath" from her hand. He then ran out into the passage that lead to the outside world, to freedom, and to life. A red hot searing pain overtook him as Ebony slashed across his back. Alain stumbled to his knees as more rocks continued to fall.
"I will have my sword, and your life, Alain Dargeth!" Ebony roared as he struggled to free himself from the rubble that had and continued to bury his massive body.
"Not in this life!" growled Alain, as he got up and picked up Kara once again. He ran towards daylight with Ebony's ranting echoing in his ears. Alain tossed the bottle of dragonbreath backwards towards Ebony as he broke out to the surface. A loud boom! resounded in his ears as a burst of flame seared his hurt back. Alain yelled in pain as he felt the searing heat of the fire. He felt his scale mail grow red-hot, and burn his skin. Alain was thrown forward, and he cradled Kara's unconscious form protectively as they went rolling down a rocky hill. Rocks piled and poured out of the cave's opening. Ebony, was no more.
Without saying a word, Alain picked up Kara, and started towards Solace.

Kara stumbled into Solace four days and three nights after the cave-in at Ebony's lair. Kara hobbled into the tree-city with the help of Alain, and the splint he had attached to her leg. They were immediately helped into the Inn of the Last Home by Caramon Majere, famed Hero of the Lance and proprietor of the inn. Kara was attended to by a healer, who did his best to heal her leg. He sadly told her that her leg was beyond his help, and that she would never regain the full use of her left leg.
Alain stayed by Kara while the healer had tried to heal her. His anger towards Ebony subsided, slowly replaced by his tender feelings for Kara. He stood by her bed, and pressed a bag full of 200 steel pieces into her hand.
"I'm . . .sorry about your leg," he swore solemnly.
"It's all right," Kara lied. Then she changed the subject. "Thank you for staying with me. Perhaps . . . perhaps we shouldn't part ways just yet."
"I think we should," Alain said silently, trying to suppress his emotions. He nearly choked on his passion. He turned away, not wanting to look into her eyes.
"Maybe we should," Kara returned coldly, badly hurt. "It's probably for the best anyway."
"Well, good-bye," whispered Alain.
"Fare thee well, Alain Dargeth," Kara spoke solemnly. "Quisalas."
Alain stopped for a moment. His heart was being tugged in two different directions, and he wasn't sure which way he's choose. In the end, he walked out of the mystic's house, and walked down the winding steps that led to the ground with the elven word for beloved echoing in his mind.
A single tear ran down Kara's pale cheek. Her hand shook as her fee slipped from her fingers and fell with a dull clink on the floorboards.

Alain sipped his ale quietly. His armor clinked dully against the oaken chair he sat upon as he shifted uncomfortably. He had spent his life, his new life, not his old one, trying to destroy Ebony. How empty it felt, now that Ebony was dead; how hollow. His new life had been created specifically for the purpose of slaying Ebony, and now that Ebony was dead, he didn't know what to do. He had counted on being dead inside, yet Kara had been able to rekindle the spark of humanity that had refused to be stamped out. For all his vaunted experience as a warrior, he was as inexperienced and defenseless as an adolescence in the affairs of the heart. Why couldn't he destroy the last ties of feeling he had left inside of him? Why was the human heart that bled within him so hard to kill? He had never asked to fall in love again. He never asked for any of this pain. It would be better to be dead inside, Alain decided. To never feel, to never love. To never be hurt. To be free. But humans were never created to attain such grandeur. We suffer, and we care. It seems that the gods have cursed all mortals to have this weakness. The ability to feel. The debilitation of emotion. He was afraid. His soul was filled with a petty, selfish fear. Although he had denied it, he had always afraid. He was afraid now, and would always continue to be, for that was the curse of being human. He sipped his ale again, relishing its delicate taste.
Holes in his heart. Holes in his soul. Holes in himself.
"Can I get you anything else?" asked Caramon as he cleaned the bar with a rag. His aged face a mask of concern, Caramon leaned on the bar and looked at Alain expectantly.
"No, I better leave," Alain stated as he set down his drained mug. Alain got up and picked up his battered backpack. He was about to shoulder it when a loud roar shook the inn. The tables and glasses shook as if an earthquake had struck the area. Bottles of wine and ale crashed onto the ground as Caramon struggled to steady himself. Shouts of alarm and agony erupted through the door. "What's happening?"
"I don't know!" shouted Caramon. Reaching under the counter, he withdrew a gleaming long sword. "But I'm going to find out."
Alain drew his broadsword and ran after Caramon, who was almost out the door. Alain jumped out onto the stairs, and gasped.
Ebony soared over the inn, the sunlight glinting off his black scales. Several arrows poked out of his thick hide, looking puny and insignificant next to the huge wyrm. A stream of acid spewed forth from Ebony's mouth and splattered over a group of adventurers firing arrows upon him. Ebony wheeled downward and landed upon several warriors, ripping them apart. Screams filled the air as Alain raced down the winding steps of the inn.
"You monster!" yelled Caramon as he ran to Ebony and cut a line of red across Ebony's leg.
Ebony roared and backhanded Caramon. Caramon flew twenty feet before smashing into a wagon full of hay. Caramon's sword flew from his hand as he fell into unconsciousness.
"Ebony! Stop this!" Alain yelled as he waved his broadsword. "It's me you want!"
Ebony stopped maiming a screaming warrior and snaked his head towards Alain. His reptilian eyes closed to mere slits, and his forked tongue slithered over his razor sharp fangs in eager anticipation.
"Yes Alain Dargeth! It is you I want! You have stolen my magical sword," he spat, indicating the broadsword clutched tightly in Alain's hand. "And you have destroyed my lair! My treasures are gone! Buried under tons of rubble! Only through my great strength and magic did I survive! Now I will kill you! I will dig my claws into your flesh, and rip through your muscle! I will hear you scream in unending agony! You will plead with me to kill you! Scream for me! Scream!"
"Never!" roared Alain as he ran forward, his broadsword gleaming in the sunlight. The magical broadsword slashed downward, opening up a gaping, bloody wound in Ebony's hide. Ebony roared and flared his wing. A leathery wing knocked Alain backwards. Ebony leapt into the air, blotting out the sun with his large, scaled body. Ebony's fanged mouth opened and a stream of acid flew towards Alain. Acting desperately, Alain rolled sideways. He could feel the searing acid splatter next to him as he rolled. A drop of acid landed on his left arm, searing his flesh. Alain groaned in agony, and got up, holding his arm.
Ebony turned in the air, whipping his barbed tail towards Alain. Alain dodged forward, tucking his knees to his chest, and somersaulted downwards. He felt the sweep of Ebony's tail as it struck where he had been before. Alain rolled up to his feet and swiped with his sword, just barely missing Ebony's tail.
Ebony lashed out with his hind leg, his claws flashing. Alain jumped back, but Ebony's claws raked his chest. Ebony's claws cut through his scale mail and drew blood. Alain flew backwards and landed on his back, clutching his chest.
"Now you die!" roared Ebony as he opened his mouth. Droplets of acid dripped down upon the ground, sizzling. Ebony's roar of triumph turned into a roar of pain as an arrow tore through the fragile membrane of his wing. Ebony stopped flapping his hurt wing and landed with an earth-shaking thump on the ground. Both Alain and Ebony looked up into the vallenwoods. Kara stood, with obvious pain, outside of the healer's house on the railing, with a longbow in her hands. She readied another arrow, and fired it at Ebony's head. The arrow struck and stuck between his thick scales.
Ebony spewed acid towards her. Kara tried to dodge aside, but her hurt leg slowed her down, and she fell to the planks. Ebony's acid destroyed the healer's hut, and the railing. Rivets of the volatile liquid slid down the house and onto the tree. The vallenwood itself began to melt. The balcony's support pillars melted away under the onslaught of the acid, sending the balcony, and Kara, into a dangerous tile. Kara slid off of the tilting balcony, and she started to fall the forty feet to the ground. Desperately, Kara reached out and managed to grab onto a limb of the dying vallenwood.
A tendril of memory shook Alain as he saw Kara hanging on the tilting balcony of the healer's hut. Shaking his head to quell the unwanted memory, Alain rushed back into action. Ebony prepared to fire his dragonbreath again when Alain stabbed him in the back. Ebony roared in anger and tried to twist around to bite Alain. Alain dodged to the side, and managed to avoid Ebony's razor sharp teeth. Ebony leapt up into the air in an attempt to shake Alain off of his back. However, Alain held onto the sword stuck in Ebony's back so tightly, that his knuckles began to hurt. Again, a distant memory snaked around his mind. I've been here before he realized, and I know what happens next! Meanwhile, Kara rained down arrows upon Ebony, careful not to injure Alain. They stuck in his hide, doing little to no damage.
Kara cursed vehemently when she ran out of arrows. Now I have to cast a spell, she thought. But my head is swimming! I don't think I can get my magic to affect him. Well, I must. Kara closed her eyes, and began to chant. She swayed her head from side to side, and pointed her finger at Ebony. A ball of fire flew from her finger and exploded upon contact with Ebony's head. Ebony didn't even notice. Kara saw Alain's hand slip, and now he was just hanging onto his sword by one hand. Ebony thrashed around, throwing Alain from side to side.
Frustrated, Kara closed her eyes, and bit her lip. She started to chant again. She pointed at Ebony. Again, a ball of fire flew towards Ebony and exploded on his dark hide. Once again, it had no effect.
I can't do this! Kara thought with despair. I can't! Then, she thought of Alain. I love him, she thought; she realized. I must do this!
Once again, Kara closed her eyes. This time, she did not chant, at least not out loud. She chanted inside of her mind, and her heart. She thought of Alain, and how she loved him. She bit her bottom lip so hard that a thin trickle of blood dripped down her chin and her throat. Once again, she pointed her finger at Ebony. A ball of fire flew at Ebony. It hit with a dull boom!, and Ebony nearly fell over. His side was now scarred and dirtied, its sheen lost. The smell of burnt flesh wafted through the air. Ebony threw his weight forward in rage, and the sword slid out of his back. Alain flew over him and landed with a grunt of pain in front of Ebony. Ebony then breathed a stream of acid at Kara. The acid splashed onto the vallenwood, burning the branch that Kara sat on. Kara looked Alain longingly, her starry eyes telling him more than words could ever say. In her, he saw Aileen. He saw her falling off of the tilting courtyard, and falling off the cliff. He saw her alone, since he could not even hold her this time. And in those last seconds, Alain regretted. He regretted the years of his life he had wasted on vengeance. He regretted the carefree life he had lost the moment Ebony had entered his world. He regretted the loss of Aileen, his first love. But most of all, Alain regretted never holding Kara in his arms and telling her, just once, that he loved her.
And like a star falling from the night sky, Kara fell from the dying vallenwood.
"Kara!" Alain cried in pain and anguish, in helplessness. "No!"
Tears streamed down his face as he buried his face in his hands. He sunk to his knees in despair. All was lost.
"It looks like history repeats itself!" snarled Ebony. "Once again your lover has been killed by your need for vengeance! And now it's your turn!"
Ebony breathed a thick stream of acid at Alain. Like a madman, Alain charged Ebony. The acid flew over his head and seared the trunk of another vallenwood. Alain leapt up, and plunged the magical broadsword into Ebony's chest, into his dark heart. The sword sunk into Ebony up to hilt, and blood spurted out like a fountain. Ebony roared in pain and anger as he tried to breath acid onto Alain. However, the acid only bubbled up from his throat, and gurgled up his mouth. Acid streamed down Ebony's face and neck, flowing down his chest and mingling with his blood.
Alain yanked down, cutting a gaping red wound down Alain's chest. His arms stung from being drenched in acid and blood. With a loud roar, Ebony threw Alain off his chest and into a vallenwood. Alain sank to the ground. His vision dimmed. He struggled to stay conscious.
Ebony pitifully tried to tear the sword from his chest, but finally collapsed. He twitched feebly, trying to get back up. Ebony roared again in rage and pain. In agony, he tried to cling onto the last shreds of his life. His life ebbed out of him slowly, and drenched the ground. His tattered wings flapped weakly, and his claws clenched in pain. His eyes rolled back and his forked tongue hung from his open mouth. The last flicker of life in the great wyrm's soul went out. Ebony was still.
Alain got up, rubbing his hurt head. He walked over to Ebony and withdrew his broadsword. Its reddish blade glinted in the glare of the sun. Then, miraculously, the blood, grime, and scales on the blade disappeared. The naked blade shone purely above Alain's head.
"You did it son!" Caramon Majere said as he walked over to Alain. He rubbed his head also, and walked dizzily. "You're a hero!"
Alain looked around and saw all of the fallen vallenwoods. He saw the homes melted from the acid. He saw the dead all around him.
"No," he whispered quietly. "No, I'm not a hero."
Caramon patted him on the shoulder.
"Solace will be rebuilt. Remember, this also happened during the War of the Lance. This happened during the Chaos War, and the Dragon Purge. We rebuilt. We'll survive."
But will I? wondered Alain. Alain walked over to Kara's still body. Blood matted her iridescent blonde hair and face. He knelt down beside her and felt for her life-beat. He found none. Tears sprang swiftly to his eyes as he bowed his head in sorrow and regret.
Alain then laid his broadsword over her, and stood up. Almost sobbing, he recited the Legionnaire death hymn: