ph, twinkle of silvery-blue eyes, a blur whirling past one opponent after anothe

slammed aside a man examining a s

se, thrusting it up to block Eldar's own blow. Unfortunately the warrior's blade was but of normal steel, while Eldar's sword of flame

ing a moment or two to catch his breath as, with a

ith a light toss of his silvery hai

dded noncommittally, turned on heel, and walke

"how many crowds you attracted with this one-rise sale

of getting to the front

de him, the other elf's hair shining golden in the su

r cloth and wood shops clustering about the larger wooden structures of the district. The square was full of shoppers and vendors all in the midst of their shopping and selling activities, but now all stopped almost in mid-step as they

odies. Men tossed aside with still-burning slashes across their sides, some fallen to their knees as they tended large purpling bruises, one man in obvious pain nursing a twisted ankle, another one further down gasping for air from a punch to the throat. It was an ope

ted to be the first one to the sale.

at the words responsib

ghtful look on his face.

ick smile to the crowd, which then found reason to stop gawking and continue on about their b

t here in time to buy it, " Eldar said as

u think that?"

bout where I could find the best present for t

carved with stylized designs of great beasts on it, the blade reaching out almost a

had Sheil-Bor(h) pick o

e available. Sabu is then going to help me put a few spells on it and I'm going to add a touch of alchemy to it. By the time we're finished, it'll not only loo

it, " Lindel admitted. "And you're right; the

r said, hefting it in

d shop-keeper's grizz

and reached in it for some coins

p the blade in its silk, Eldar looked

make it to the f

of the booth and cut in front, " Lindel

ing the coins to the old man in exchange for the

my way wa

of wounded, Eldar holding his bundle and smiling t

do things the simple way

ould the fun

ckle of electricit

eeze, the bustling sounds

bserved, the static electricity still making his long golden h

as a long sleem, its hemispherical sails folded in, docked and awaiting her next trip. Thirdocian sailors bustled around the place, going about the sleem, the few small buildings that lined the edge of the

he used his hands to try and brush down his ha

en locks, as they started walking along the beach-front street, "

lchemy lessons faster than I'm taking to his magic less

arges, the elves taking the time to nod at Lindel and Eldar as they passed them by. Overhead the sun was a bright blue within a shining trüb-colored h

the tall pines of the island. He waved back at a passing elf- was it only a few motabs ago that they'd rescued

et about the rest of the world, " Eldar sai

almost makes you forget t

s too good a day for thoughts like that. Let's not

nly inland. They followed along its length as it now carried them on into the w

d, "it's hard to believe that under a rel ago this thick mass of

l along, " Lindel answered. "It was all jus

as they played tag in the Fall sun. Fluttering out of range of their gay activities were three other flying figures, but these of a more human-shape and with a thick

said as he looked up at their frolicking, "pretty

e they were meant to have, not the mockery of a

ght on that one,

followed by a sudden crash, as if of a giant power-diving in

el asked, reflexively

ntion as you think." Eldar slapped the other elf on the

as it carried them around a jutting leg of the nearby mountain. Around and into a widening clearing formed as a pocket of mu

anging from his belt, as he picked himself up from the newly-made hole in the

atched the ogre pick himself up. His dark hair fell almost to his shoulders as h

rength is not nearly so great as

r on his face as he loo

l man like bug! Make

termination on his primitive features. The man just stood

out, "I told you it

punch to his stomach. Before the ogre knew what was happening, he was being spun round and round overtop of the large man's head. Whirling the one-ton ogre around like he was but

ag-ak having fun, " Eldar f

kle erupting from his large chest. Slowly, the pile

out his hand, "me thinks it's time we both

p at Bronto. Finally a smile crossed the ogre's la

to his feet, shaking Bronto's arm, tossing aside

said as he and Lindel walked up to the two, "it'll be t

o said jovially. "I already have h

wrapped bundle in his belt, "and you don't wa

ownsfolk had to go through for you

tly admonished, "t

and of fun, " Bronto grinned as th

pointed out, "we'd better get it up to

ectly, " Bronto asked, "I thought Sabu

with a slight t

d, " he

the ocean this time th

ng then!" Bronto slap

dar said lightly, "my bones aren

chuckled, "we've a

from Sab

991, 26

ature-grown houses in the trees; trees nurtured by Lindel's own hand. Likewise, Narudwa and his hawkmen, or the K?ecian as they refer to themselves, have called our small range of mountains home, filling in the niches in the cliffsides as both our neighbors and our guardians, ever respectful of Bronto's heritage; I think, though, that even without Bronto's Old-K

en calm while we've built up our stronghold here, and Sindar, Eldar, and myself have had time to study the

ut, even putting that aside as a given background problem, and putting aside the problems of what we ma

e land masses drawn on the map with known continents, the symbols and writing on it remain a complete mystery to us. Not to mention the appa

uld even figure o

re I'm led to believe that it could be the most important fi

ensio-books have shed little light on this matter, not to mention how many different types there are in a complete set and what happens when one does obtain a comple

tually nothing about them. What really are they and what do they want of us? I've been thinking over what

st one we'd been in the middle of making our way to Th?r T?orca and only learned of it by a casual comment he'd made. Well, I didn't forget and this time he's going to celebrate it properly. E

none of us have any

" the man in the richl

er of the merchant's guild if he remembered right. Pillar of the community and all that; a serious man that has been known to do anything for

man to go pleading at the end

lly sobbing. "He's after me. You've

the same man that had so dispassionately foreclosed on that ol

d removing the man from his tunic, "the Law is here to he

error. "Or, maybe it's a them or an IT- I don't

was determined to get a proper n

pped animal trying to hide from its hunter. If one c

swallowed and started a

on. A reputation that ended in certain death if he was after you, and not even a good wizard coul

ign on for that

I'm sorry for you and all, but I don't get paid nearly enough for this sort of stuff. If you still have

all- it was just that there was something unnatural about the Black Dagger. Now matter how one tried, the victim would always end up with that same dagger in his chest that he'd been given earlier, an

EAS

uard backed quickly

e on his haunches, practically crying upon the ground. The guard then hurried away, and

l pay you double whatever you're getting. Triple even!

adowy outline of a tall lean figure, a pinpoint gleam of red shining out from something long and poin

hing! You can't have it

feet and began backing up, shakin

- can't-

the dark figure. Across the street he went and then down a smal

he headed down into a pile of trash. He hit with a sudden jerk, his arms and legs flailing out for a brief spasmodic instant, before he stoppe

ed hilt-deep into his chest, slicing down right t

toe in a tight-fighting dark suit, even down to the gloved hands. The figu

ove thi

gure from the alley came up next to h

him, " the female said, "h

ome of our work for us now

's sticking to our agreement right now, but I think at least one of us should start learnin

e dark male figure said with a slight smile in his

, " she said as she put a gl

n admirable trait in a wife, " he s

p by one of the stores? I wa

e could, but

ecially in our line of work, " she shrugged. "A

e body with a

he conceded. "We'll come back for the

just but silent figures leaping from one stone rooftop to a

locked within it. The three-foot leathery creature l

Mauklo said calmly, "or you'

ture; miniaturized figures of demons, wraiths, ghosts, and what was left of one parti

n, "I'll cooperate. He's getting all the da

the demons a

l demon

ons. And He controls the Lords, " the little one answered,

bly. "And I'm sure that you won't

ly from one foot to the other, "why wo

reached for an empty ja

mp said with more than a bit of nervousnes

I am powerful enough that I have little to fear from l

egan waving a hand over it as

ake the chance that you mi

of him as a grey smoke began to come out of

klo continued calmly, as the smoke wrapped itself around the imp, m

and all. It looked up to see Mauklo screwing shut the lid and sealing it with wax and engraved

ently a lot of it. That must mean he's preparing for a rather large war. With wh

k kn

" Mauklo said, with

now no longer dressed in her black jumpsuit, the dim ro

as she walked in, the door c

ks I've been working on, " Mauklo smi

, "just the usual frightened victim too scared to think straight. We even ha

th forced pleasantness,

mockingly. "You know, if you got them to like you

or to desire to get too close. I want them to keep just the distance they've been keeping

h Sindar's vision,

his vision, I want to be in just the right position to either hel

stood up. "Well, if you want to keep walking the edge, then you might want to

keep to my fine line,

ped in the doorway and turned back, "after all, Kor and I woul

miling and deceptively-pleasant figure of Kilinir. She and Kor-Lebea

my good lady. And I shall try to p

oor closing slowly after her. Mauklo leaned back in his chair and steep

this, " Eldar passed over

o remain stoically impassive, while the boy in him that never had a chance t

esitated. "I've never had a birthris

would make most men quake in fear, and he can't handle the basics of childhood. Ju

f light slowly dancing along the ceiling. They were all there, the ceiling having been made tall enough even for B

d as it was with great beasts entangled in battle. He looked alo

ated just a bit

tional on us, " Eldar prompted, with

it, feeling for its balance. Only after

lanced, " he said as h

"and it should be sharp en

at which they were seated. As easily as it might through butter, it cleaved t

finally said,

appy unless it fought well,

long as my arm, " Kilgar'

of yours now, " Lorel said, from where he sa

ddenly serious, "I can'

e boy grab defensively onto the muc

h is about the time they're able to walk, they're given a kni

plucked it out of the creature's carcass

y learn how to walk?"Lorel

en I come of age in a few rels, " Kilg

it a hunch, but have Miro's forces ever

he's never successfully gotten

ought so, " L

wn on the table in front of him a small bundle wrapped in blue-colored paper and tied with a golden ribbon. "A presen

t, and took up the small bundle. Carefully, he unw

flo

om the globes floating overhead. Its stem seemed frail and unsupportive, ye

ll never wilt. Crush it as you may, it will always return to the same delicate shape that you see before you now.

, with a seriousness unma

t through her milk-white skin. She the

p, passing over a bundle to Ki

wo giving the kid a present

not?" Kilinir said wit

thing, " Quickfoot commented fr

ed its blade along the edge of the paper bundle.

" Kilgar

r-Lebear said smoothly, "and knew he wouldn't think

ar said, after

t, and tested it for size with his new dagger

alance, " he said as Kor-Lebear gave a

m next, " Mauklo s

e reaction of Shong r

hat boy's head, and

, "you misjudge me. I merely wi

ong, "maybe even Mauklo has his

ack his sword as h

" he said,

to Eldar and quietly

t actually belie

spered back, "I just don't wa

king a rolled-up piece of paper

er and watched as the bo

es and events, " Ki

birthrise of yours, " Mauklo said. "As a Destir ever bound to keep your word an

th a mix of puzzlem

t you owe me, " Mauklo smiled. "So

o said under his breath, "he would

he big man's shoulder, "that a scheme will often come b

doubtfully as Mauklo st

a stern voice from out in the hallway beyond, "I wo

, his long thin mustache drooping down to either side of his firmly chiseled chin. His black-brown hair came down to his shoulders, his

s Sta

for the better as he shot to his feet. "What brings you

ed an outpost of the Kingdom. The King therefore has a reason to get a task-force together to patrol these wa

his duty so you could make Kilgar's party, " Bronto

you know that I'm heading that task-force. So I'll be seeing you all more often fro

" Bronto began to lead him i

as well, " came another voi

Shong

shaven, with fair-blond hair, tall and well-muscled, he walked in, armor c

" Shong

title. "I was Filmar when we adventured toge

way from the silently humming vortex sword in its special sheath at his side. Filmar walke

in Mauklo's direction, "

little rank to get here fo

up a good excuse to tell m

to talk to us about later

o my trip, but that can wait. Right now I'm here to save this gather

at the comment b

on will gain you the attention of any of the King's forces should you need it; you have but to show it to them and they w

k the small medallion an

und, "I have a message from my s

row weak with nervousness and

ice from cracking. "Whatever could they want wi

"My friend, you've got to learn how to deal with the ladies

ctfully hiding any humor he may have felt on Shong's part, "but I'm sure that t

. Shong took it and carefully opened it up. Inside were three straw-colo

almost too much politeness, "

" Eldar asked, "a

rty ladies, " Blag-

Shong began, "i

, "it's none of our business. Besides, we have a party to

rt, " Eldar gri

ood?" Quickfoot pe

the kid, " Eldar frowned momentarily, "but, it should prove f

aid, rolling back his sleeves. "

ad half the women of my people preparing a proper feast down in the village. So you can j

to hospitality, " Eldar smiled, "I'm

the others started to get up. "We'll wo

e acting the mother hen as they star

cooks, " Filmar said formally, pushing the empty plate away from h

bit demurely, as she swept up

nued, "although I would not want to spoil Kilgar's fi

outside having fun with the elven kids and Blag-ak. Or rather, they're trying

them, Sire, " Starke added a bit formally,

ilmar nodded, "goo

d them. They were seated around an oblong table, carved with spiraling leafy patterns, Eldar, Sabu, and Sindar at one end, Filmar and Starke at the other, with Candol, Lindel, Mauklo, Bronto, Shong, and Sheil-Bor(h) scattered along between. Dwingale was shuffling plates off the table, with Eldar eyeing her all the time, dressed as she was with a minimum of co

ritories thought heavily influenced by Miro, " he started out,

ue with you about certain parts

never been able to penetrate, thanks entirely to Kilgar's people, but the mountains especial

with smug politeness. "In the w

Mauklo's tone

n the entire world, are a-bristle with Traugh and his dragons. Capta

ation, "that he's getting outside help i

Lord, " Si

oming in through dimensional portals, adding to

u, is it possible to hide that many dimensional portals? I would think that the presenc

you keep these portals well spaced from each other in both location and time, th

dar translated, "yes.

g he's been importing dragons, " Bronto summ

there on Devoon when we were hunting out our Hevon Gems of Wind. And let me tell you, the sight I saw from atop that peak was rather unnerving.

he other reports are to be believed, perhaps hundre

lions?!" Shong w

s all over the world. And with each such skirmish, another town that n

, " Sabu observed. "A pit where they convert captured pris

them, at great cost to their own numbers, but I have reports of several others. All hidden away deep within

t, " Sindar agreed, "and in places

or a vision?" Eldar

a vague feeling of such an orkai-genesi

the north, " Filmar nodded in agreement, "but neither his scouts, nor the dw

or a strike, " Bron

hat he will strike on the comi

ong exclaimed, "of what type of war would h

he making, " Sheil-Bor(h) said calmly,

y know what Miro's goals are, we can't reall

denly putting a fist down hard on the table. "He's after something big and we do

Sabu said, reaching inside his robes, "something th

the map out from his robe

e unrolled the map, "and it's been a puzzle to us ever since. We c

know, " Eldar put in, "there's no wa

this map are completely unknown to us. Even the dimensio-books we found on Devoon offer

sked, leaning forward

sion of death and gloom. From some of the other symbols I get an impression of location. It's almost as if the writing itself has a p

raw with his mind as one would

o smiled, "I would s

d, "our dark friend's

civilly, "indeed, where

ure like to try, " Shong

nd from the prominence of that one small cluster of

out from each of the larger one's corners, each bisecting the angle it was within as it went over to touch the side opposite. After the strange triangle was some sort of interlocking angular bracket, facing both left

and if that land mass below is the northern part of Catho, then the point whi

ce-cap, there's a range of mountains up there that is completely impassible. It's a small range, but one that ma

something up there! Or why else make a map to a

as everyone thought this over. Can

a sort of sense. But, then what does

w connected with what Miro is after?"

perhaps as old, " Sabu affirmed, "but of how to use it or read it, I'

xpectedly spoke up, "there is

yebrow, "you can read th

less than you do. No, I speak of one who is both a person and a legend. Of one who

eople at the tabl

he Foot Of The World

der in his voice, "I've heard of him

rotested lightly. "A child's

asis in fact, " Shei

thoughtfully, "then he might in

at least, " Eldar

be, " Mauklo protested, "is a fool's errand. We sh

dar asked. "Good, that

of protest and then quiete

d, "where does legend

hich would be the Southern Wastelands. Noth

uth Pole, " Eldar sighed. "Well, at least it'll

, " Dwingale said, "to ask of the future of his people. He found th

question answere

ed feelings over his answer. It is said also that the Sage extracts a great, and often strange, price for his answers. In t

suddenly thoughtfu

e had just before he got killed in the downfall of the Evolins. If he hadn't decided to

e up. "If this Sage can indeed answer the puzzle of that map, the

" Eldar nodded. "Tomorrow then. S

er been to that area of the world at all, and I can't t

he first one should be enough to keep the island i

ularly, " Starke reassured, "that you m

worry about them, " Bronto said. "Have you ever seen those K?ecian

, " Filmar said, "this is definitely

long then?"

e voice of one young Destir shouting playful cries of death, and the bellow of an

ag-ak?" Eldar asked. "He's destruc

ort him in as needed, " Sabu offered, "that way h

nto smiled, thinking of the young drag

ally, and the Southern Wastelands is only about fifteen thousand miles to the south of us, just at the o

spells, who's going to protect your backs? Who's going to stop you from getting

home of the Evolins. While that was relatively close to the Southern Wastelands, it's also on the other side of the world

an our trip a bit more car

backs, " Bronto added, fist comi

y through the air, to tumble

ounced after he looked at whi

anizing the expedition

n about our plans, " Shong s

r, " Eldar said as

it's his first birthrise celebrat

expedition for halfway across the world will probably be the perfect

grinned as he got up with the rest, "the boy's idea

reluctantly admitted as Elda

tly in her ear, "let's go

uickfoot on his usual shoulder-perch. Sabu looked on as he saw an elf in another tree, in the midst of magically gesturing at its branches, urging the branches to grow and twist into another adjoining walkway. He watched as the branches

He quickly found himself on the other side o

of the trees. Kor-Lebear came down to his right, Kilinir to his left, both s

'd i

o smi

; then they couldn't be more eager to start off. Eldar himse

k of this Great Sage

that only the fabled Great Sage is said to know enough to help us. I just had to wait for

uggested it they'd never

ugh it took them a few motabs long

t you want out of this S

explained. "Knowledge is power, and I want as much power in my hands as possible before t

to come along?

d for you. Sabu isn't the only one to have mastered a telepo

about, " Kilinir asked. "Why should y

ur very name invokes fear in certain circles, then just think how much fear I can wield if word were to get ou

enhance yours, " Kor-Lebea

d best get going. I should rejoin the

up on their mission, I s

ve young lady, "

Lebear said, "call

one. Mauklo then composed himself, putting back on his I'll-come-if-I-ha

or-Lebear and Kilinir looked down from amidst the cloaking l

is plans for using us?"

ust as quietly. "Perhaps to impress upon us that he can take us out if

k I like bein

ut it suits our

endent when we're ab

tly to our code of honor as the Black Dagger; never allowing one to buy

's Mauklo?"

" he put a lightly massaging hand on h

o become the best at something, " she smiled, covering Kor-

wn to land upon a branch nearby the two figures. By the time the bre