3. Travels and Tribulations of the Shadow Singer

Travels and Tribulations of the Shadow Singer


  • _Like a leech,
    I hold on,
    As if we belonged,
    To some,
    Precious pure dream,
    Cast off,
    You see what's beneath,
    Now fail me!

    He had to see her. He didn't know why, he knew it was stupid, but he knew as well that he couldn't stop his feet this time. Shadow to shadow he moved through the sweet, swiftly drawing him to the house he knew all to well. Taking a breath, stilling his mind, he moved in, slipping the door shut behind him.

    He heard her sipping her tea as he entered, her hand undoubtedly moving to a weapon as she sipped. He knew how sharp her ears were and knew she had heard the door. He didn't care. If she came at him, knowing it was him or not, he wouldn't care. She had killed what was inside him already, if she killed the shell as well so be it.

    Moving forward from around the wall he stepped out of the shadows, moving aside his cloak and removing his helm, his dead blue eyes looking at her as he watched her hand go weak and the tea cup drop from it, shattering into pieces on the ground of what once was their house.

    He looked at her and then down to her pregnant stomach, his eyes flashing with a look of hatred and disgust as vision of his dreams snapped into his head before quickly returning to his now normal flat expression. Her green almond shaped eyes looking widely at him, almost as if she didn't believe the sight.

    Finally he spoke, breaking the silence that seemed as if it was an eternity. "Nothing to say?"

    "…you came back." She said as she slowly moved closer, her hand on the table to keep her stable. "You look healthy" she said, cursing herself silently for having nothing better to say.

    "I keep most of the problems hidden under my vest."

    "You always been good at that...hiding." Her eyes never leaving him as she spoke, intensity within them.

    "So did you, for a long time at least..." he retorted, the words slipping out with their hidden message within them.

    "Two birds...of a feather..."

    His hands tightening and untightening at his sides, "Till a hunter came out of the woods and put an arrow through one..."

    "...and caged the other..." she said before breaking the gaze, looking away and shaking her head slightly. Him just standing there, cold blue eyes upon her as he absently rubbed his wrists. Finally she looked back to him, "are you staying...or passing through..."

    "I do not know. Depends on how long the promises I've made take to be done, and depends if I manage to get my soul and life back into me...As of now I go where my feet take me."

    Unable to help smiling slightly she looked over him in his new armor. "...you look good."

    "Some acquaintances in Cormyr fixed me up a good bit. Compared to what I looked like before they helped I look like a god now. "

    "One of your faults that...you were always to perfect." She said with a thin smile, a comment she made all so often to him.

    "Yet another of her self fulfilling prophecies." He thought to himself, but instead simply stated, "no, its only what I tried to be..."

    She moved over to the drawers in the house, pulling out a linen shirt he had missed and began to fold it slowly. "Staying at the theater?"

    "Perhaps, if Adam is right in his guess I'll be named Head Master soon."

    She smiled warmly at that, though it seemed forced. "That's good news."

    Ignoring the comment he continued, "Though generally I've been staying in the barn in the docks the past few tenday."

    "That's where I ..." she stopped there, going back to fold the shirt, but he knew what she was going to say. That's where she used to sleep. "Yes...it is nice there...can get a bit chilly at times though."

    "I don't sleep much anyways anymore. Can't. Few hours a night. Generally I'm out and about, so the cold or the comfort doesn't matter much."

    "Those nightmares again...?"

    "Something like that." He couldn't tell her the truth, couldn't tell her that the nightmares had actually left for one night thanks to her. Couldn't tell her that they were back worse then ever, her lover and her child laughing at him, cackling through the nights, ever there as a reminder, clawing upon his soul.
    She looked at him, her eyes helpless, saying so much yet, hiding so much, and yet no words came from her mouth. He turned to leave, what foolish thoughts that led him to come there now being cast away, as she pulled out the dagger he had used to pin the note in place. She bid him to wait as she handed him his shirt and dagger, looking up into his eyes. "I've missed you."

    Taking his things he looked up at her, his empty eyes meeting hers. "I've missed me too. Maybe someday he'll be found again..."

    And with that he turned, opening the door and heading back out into the city, what thoughts and doubts that had lingered within his mind vanishing into the shadows that now enveloped his existence._


  • **The Return
    _Now it's my time to help you out,
    Coz you were there when I was down,
    It's hard for me to feel this way
    Losing all my sanity.
    You helped me keep my dreams alive,
    Without you how would I survive
    It's time for me to be a man
    Now I finally understand

    It's never too late to live your life,
    The time is now, it's do or die

    Part One

    He had heard the commotion from around the corner into the commons as he was stealthing back from the docks. Moving quietly around the corner he saw a dozen people gathered on the far side talking, all faces he knew and had counted as friends. Darting from shadow the shadow he made his way around the commons, trying to get close enough to hear their conversation.

    As he crept closer he heard his former mentor speaking, asking a question to one of the ones present. "Evendur, if you were a war wizard where would you plane shift a hostage to?"

    "If I was a war wizard I would not take a hostage" was the retort.

    Zyphlin took in a breath, trying to steady himself as he silently lipped "war wizard" while watching. Could it be him…could it just be a coincidence? He prayed to Tymora it was but somehow he doubted that.

    It was then he heard Talgrath speak up, and as his words came out Zyphlin realized he should've remembered his old adage that there was no such thing as coincidence.

    "So what happened to Skyla then?"

    The barbarian Rick gave a small shrug, stating his uncertainy as the new Senator Brynmor gave as simple an answer as can be expected from a paladin. "She was speaking with the wizard. Then she disappeared."

    Adam informed them that the mage had cast a plane shift spell as all those gathered tried to figure out what had just happened to one of their friends. At the same time they were thinking and bickering with the former inquisitor that arrived on the scene, Zyphlin was standing behind the pillar, frozen in fear and guilt, his demons creeping into his head once more.

    It wasn't until he heard his name that he snapped from his thoughts, looking up as he heard Tal speak.

    "He seemed to be thinking it was Zyphlin"

    "Eh?" Rick said, not quiet following Tal.

    "He thinks that Zyph is his mercenary?" spoke up Bromley.

    "Yeah, ¦he seemed to be thinking that" Tal responded to Adam while behind them the Captain of the Cerulean Knights Anakore gave a small grimace, hearing a name he had hoped wasn't involved with all that was happening but had guessed was.

    "Well, that should be easier since Zyph is in town."

    Talgrath's head snapped around, looking in shock to the bard "He is Adam!?"

    "Yeah, he has been for a while, now we just have to track him down."

    Zyphlin stood motionless as he heard all this, the situation still feeling as if it had sucker punched him straight in the gut, the air feeling knocked out of him. The truth of the matter had smacked him hard. Azagoth had returned, and he must've been here and taken Skyla to get to him. This was his fault. He shook his head slightly in disbelief as he listened and thought back to the letter he received while away. That letter which was a small glimpse of hope, of possible redemption, of a friend reaching out over the distance just to try and help no matter if it did no good. He realized then what he had to do, that the time from keeping himself away had ended.

    Slowly he moved out from behind the pillar, pulling his cloak from around him, and looked at the group through the slits of his helm. Their eyes moved over to the foreign sight, the jet black armor tinged with the burnished color of his God. Questioning, curious, with a tint of understanding on some of them. Finally, taking a deep breath, he reached up and removed the helm, letting his hair fall down around his shoulders.

    Robyn's lips curled up in a smile as Adam looked on with a smug satisfied look that all knew so well on the old bard that seemed to be right so often. Roland simply gave a small smile as Rick looked on in disbelief, but it was Talgrath that broke the first bit of silence.

    "Zyphlin, you son of a bitch"

    But there was little bite to the comment if any. However Zyphlin was in no mood for a reunion or happiness just yet, he had to know for sure. He looked over to them, his eyes cold and voice flat. "What was the name of the mercenary the War Wizard was looking for."

    With eyes of flame narrowed at Zyphlin, Anakore spoke up, "Zander Reorx."

    Zyphlin gave a small nod, his heart skipping a single beat at hearing the name, but pressed on. "And the War Wizard...what was his?"

    A bit of confusion set in as the group tried to remember, but finally it was Talgrath that spoke up. "Azagoth, he said his name was Azagoth something or other"

    He felt his knee's go week as he heard his fears confirmed, his head looking down as his mind scolded himself aloud. "Damnit...I had hoped this had been long past..."

    Zyphlin looked back up as Talgrath was trying to get him to explain along with everyone else, save for Anakore who simply kept his eyes upon Zyphlin and his fingers around the hilt of his sword. Zyphlin explained shortly the history between him and Azagoth, the fact that he assumed he was dead. He told them if Skyla was taken to another plane, it was likely the Plane of Shadow as he was discovered to have followed Shar the first time Zyphlin had encountered him.

    Zyphlin and Adam pointed out at the same time the one person in Peltarch that could get them there, and had before, Daisy. Zyphlin started off, planning on giving himself over and ending this, until he was stopped by Talgrath and Adam with a rather daunting gaze from Robyn.

    "He wants me...let him have me. There's no need to risk us all."

    "Bullshit"

    "We can get both, this is easy. Its just a lich after all" Bromley stated with a smile.

    Zyphlin couldn't help but smile slightly at his former…no, not former...at his friends and nodded a bit. "Alright, but not a lich...no worries there. I took care of that some decades ago. Lets get going."

    Together they began to make their way to the temple of Tyr, hoping to get help from high priestess Daisy. As the made their way around the senatorial apartments though, somber from the experience, they heard a voice none had expected to hear this early.

    "Yoo hoo."

    They all turned, looking shocked as they saw the woman run up to them.

    "Looking for me?" Skyla said, a sly playful smile upon her lips.

    The gathered adventurer's stared for a moment confused, save for the quick witted Bromley, "See, that was easy."

    "I am proud to announce that apparently I'm the queen of the Shadow Realms. Have to say nice folk down there too. The wizard left me with them without realizing and they ended up helping me get back here." She said with a grin as the others looked on, becoming more confused and unsure if it was her.

    Zyphlin, not hearing her words, moved over slowly. He had to know if this was really her. Reaching out, he ran his hands along the thin golden strand wrapped around her neck and looked up to her. "Where did you get th-"

    Before he could get the question out he was promptly greeted with a knee directly to his groin, dropping him to his knees with a small cry.

    "You put it on Nickolai's crib. And that's for hiding in the shadows like a jerk! Do it again, and I'll really hurt you."

    Laughing slightly through the pain, he smiled up at the group. "Yep...its here alright."

    They all gave a small laugh, thinking things were alright at the moment, until they heard a voice cry out from behind them.

    "What??? YOU!? You look NOTHING like me!"

    All of them turned to see the source of the cries, and collectively blinked a moment. Standing before them was the perfect double of Skyla, save for the darkened complexion of the new comer and the deep red eyes.

    "You're right...you've got a horrible complexion." Skyla snapped back at the woman, removing a red stone from her pouch and moving to toss it to Zyph. However as the stone soared through the air the shadow Skyla spoke a few quick words, making the stone disappear.

    Zyphlin looked at her, having never seen the woman before but having a bad feeling about the situation, and spoke up. "Who are you?" However she ignored him, her eyes on Skyla.

    "You are lucky I have other things to do, otherwise...cut that awful music out! My ears for pity's sake." Her eyes turned and darted at Bromley who had his spoons out, playing absentmindedly as he was trying to place the woman. Looking back at the group she gave a small sneer, her eyes resting on Zyphlin a moment. "I have better things to do then this." And with that her hands quickly and expertly wove a spell, driving five magical bolts into Zyphlin's torso as she shifted from this plane, pulling Skyla's panther tempus with her.

    Zyphlin dropped to a knee, muttering to himself as Skyla growled her anger at her cat being taken. As Zyphlin began to rise however he was met with a sword point, as Anakore had drawn his out and approached slowly, rage in his eyes.

    "Zyphlin..." his eyes on him like daggers.

    "Oh no..." Robyn exclaimed as she saw Anakore approach, reaching to her side for her rapier just in case.

    "Everyone just calm down" the old bard stated, his hands moving as he tried to settle the tempers around.

    "I won't calm down till that fool explains himself"

    Robyn spoke up then, looking at the captain. "Anakore...I have no idea what's going on either. But venting your rage by killing Zyph is not going to do anything to make us understand it better."

    "Then make him explain, NOW"

    Having had enough of this Zyphlin rose up, moving in front of those that had separated the two, his cold dead eyes looking to Anakore. You wish to know what is going on? You want to know it all? Fine, I will tell you and explain it all. But not here in the middle of the damned street, with a sword at my throat, while citizens are walking all about watching their captain threatening in a rage their former Magistrate. When we get to the temple of Tyr I will explain everything as best I can."

    With that he turned, not truly caring at that moment if Anakore struck him down, followed, or stayed there. He moved quietly to the temple, slipping into the doors and waited as the others piled in. Taking a breath, he turned towards them, and finally came clean about his entire experience in Cormyr and what he was, what he used to do. Those around listened quietly to the story, of his work in finding the mage, how he had nearly killed Skyla's father due to a frame job, to the point where the two managed to cast Azagoth from Cormyr, and all the way up to the last battle. He finished the tale with the story that the General told him before his return and a simple statement to Anakore. If after all that he wished to kill him, to strike him down pointlessly out of rage and anger, then do so, but it would do nothing to aid the situation except to sedate his temper.

    Those listening stood in slight shock at the story, even the old bard himself, simply looking at Zyphlin. Anakore moved over, eyes downcast slightly, and whispered to Zyph, "I am sorry man."

    Zyphlin shook his head slightly, looking over to the Captain he had known for so long, and said simply "You need to be. You acted how you did out of love…I of all people understand that..."

    He looked back up over to Daisy, smiling slightly at the sight of the priestess, and prayed she could help. "Daisy, I need your assistance again. You sent me to the shadow planes once before to save Adam, do you think you could do that for us again."

    The priestess nodded slightly, but stated it would take some time to prepare. She would send word when the proper components and prayers were done. And at that, the group nodded, the weight of the situation disappearing for at least a moment. He looked to his friends, unable to help the small smile on his lips. He tried once more to take the duty of finding Azagoth on himself alone, but without much heart in it this time, as he knew his friends reactions. And sure enough, none would stand for it, more so they all eagerly wished to help and go with him, including a few friendly threats if he didn't let them know when he was going back. As they began to filter out of the temple he watched them go, realizing then that while he may not know himself any longer he still could count on the fact that he knew his friends.

    **Part Two

    She turned around, her crimson hair bouncing beautifully as she looked behind her. "Nice new look by the way." She looked around a moment though, seeming as if she was talking to nothing. "Zyphlin? Argh!"

    She jumped back slightly started as he stepped out from beside her in the shadows, moving his cloak to the side with a smile.

    "Thanks, just didn't feel right in the blue right now, plus I needed something people didn't recognize when I got back."

    "You're having to much fun doing that."

    He chuckled a bit at the comment but she looked at him rather seriously, speaking up again.

    "Why?"

    "Why what?"

    "Why hide like that for so long?"

    "I wasn't ready to face everyone. I'm…not the same person everyone knew, and I wasn't ready to admit that to everyone. Couldn't face them..."

    She smiled over to him, taking his hand and squeezing it lightly as she looked up into his cold eyes. "Well... who ever you are. I'm very glad to see you."

    They headed towards the theater, him ducking in and out of the shadows as she walked through the streets. Now that he had revealed himself he wished to get a closer look at the harp and figure out what this all had to do with Zargothis. Once they reached the theater they headed to the library, finding Bromley tinkering with the harp and thinking.

    "You two, look around for OLD sheet music. I think there may be a particular song or place we need to play this thing to summon the celestrial."

    Nodding the two did as Adam bid, looking through the different books and notes searching for sheet music. Searching high and low the three looked through the library, yet nothing turned up that felt right. They tried to think of other places to go, things to try, when something accord to Bromley. Smiling he bid them to follow.

    He led them out to the commons, explaining his plan to play the harp upon the spot that the celestial had appeared and the lightening had struck. They watched as his fingers went to work, playing a beautiful melody upon the instrument, yet nothing happened. Zyphlin stood there, watching and listening, when a thought struck him. He knew where it had to be played, it made to much sense! Moving to Adam and whispering for him to follow, he led them around the commons to the old forge that he had entered in so many years before, when all this mess seemed to have started for him.

    He looked around the forge, explaining to the others what he knew; how this was the connected originally to the building where the Soul Drinker was forged, how he had traveled into the building a number of times to see strange occurrences mimicking the stories that went along with the sword...trails of blood and rumblings within darkness.

    Bromley took the harp in hand, once again letting his fingers spin out a masterful tune. It was not long that once more the ground began to shake within the forge, however this time not as severe. Strange magics began once more, though this time instead of the darkness of evil it was the shining light of good that beamed down upon them. The lights went on for a short time before everything went still once more and Adam let his fingers stop.

    They spoke a bit on what they had discovered, realizing they had two pieces to the large puzzle, but unsure exactly how they fit in the whole of it all. Suddenly Adam looked up, his eyes going to Zyphlin's as he spoke slowly. "What was the name of the daughter again."

    Their eyes met, master and protégé, and at once they said together "Janthra".

    **Part Three

    They had talked for some time within the forge, slowly each one leaving till the two bards were left on their own. They talked quietly about a multitude of things, from business to pleasure and back around again. He knew he could have the advisor position if he wanted it, but in truth, he didn't. He had other plans. But also…he knew one that wanted it more, and would do a better job. It seemed though that the two did not think to far off from each other, as it was Adam speaking the thoughts going through Zyphlin's head before they reached his mouth. Smiling Zyph nodded, promising to relay the message. He went to head out but was firmly pulled back into an embrace, one he gladly returned before heading out.
    He moved through the streets, his feet taking him to the shadows that had became his protectors once more without even realizing it, heading towards the inn. Slipping in quietly he scanned around it, finding what he wanted.

    Moving up quietly behind the woman he tapped her on her shoulder, giving a tiny smile down to her. "Mind if we have that drink we talked about?"

    Grinning up Skyla nodded, handing him up a bottle of elven wine, "Already ahead of you."

    They talked for a while downstairs, sipping upon their wine and catching up a bit. Her curious about what had happened to him and why he left, him always steering the conversation away from such topics. He told her of the job proposition, which brought the smile to his face he had hoped so much to see. He had a lot he wanted to tell her and to ask, as he knew she did as well. More then most others she had been his life support, her along with one other being the ones to give him purpose in his life once more, something that the shell of a man he became could still do for the good even without anything inside. Sadly however he could barely say any of it, for the "yes's" and "no's" and other bits of conversation filling the bar kept them from any real conversation.

    Finally she looked up, taking a sip, then gritting her teeth before speaking. "Do you want to go upstairs? This chatter is driving me insane?"

    Chuckling very slightly he nodded. "I was about to ask the same, I've had my fill of noisy bars over the past few months to last me a decade. I'll get us a room."

    And so they got up, taking their drinks with them, and moved upstairs in the mermaid, talking throughout the night until they both passed out, content to at least no the other as there again.

    (( This event isn't done yet, and a Part Four will be added once its done which hopefully should be saturday night. ))**_


  • The Homecoming

    Skyla smiled at her son, who seemed to be having a grand time in his bath, slapping the water, gurgling, and doing his utmost to see that his mother was drenched from head to toe. Skyla didn’t care. She loved every second of it anyways, making silly faces and smiling at Nickolai. At this moment, she was holding everything she had ever wanted in her arms.

    Sighing deeply, she placed Nickolai in his bassinet, tucking him in as he drifted off to sleep, dreaming an innocent’s dreams. Never had she loved something so much as she did her child. Well, almost never.

    Leaving her child to sleep, she stepped out of the room, and went down the hall to knock on the door of Nickolai’s nurse.

    “I’m going out for the evening, and Nickolai is sleeping now. Keep an eye on him, and if anything happens, you know how to find me.”

    As she exited the building, she took a deep breath, inhaling the night air. The town was calm and quiet, all the villagers having gone to bed for the night. It was rough staying up so many nights to complete her job, and she hoped it would be over soon. She felt guilty for the little amount of time she could spend with her son, but … a job was a job.

    The air brushed passed her cheek, brushing her hair over to her shoulder as her hand went up to her neck as it often did these days. Her fingers reached out to caress the Tymoran coin she wore, only to find it gone.

    Her eyes going wide, Skyla spun around, her eyes looking for the coin. She couldn’t lose such a valuable and sentimental item. It was all she had left of…

    Suddenly, she felt a tap on her back, and she spun around again. But nothing was there.

    “Who’s there? Show yourselves, this isn’t funny!”

    No one answered.

    Skyla shook her head. Obviously she was imagining things. She must have left the coin back in Nickolai’s room, that was it.

    –-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    He had watched her for days now, one of the many he had became a Dark Angel for, peering from the darkness of the shadows, ever vigilant and watchful. He smiled as he watched her play with his necklace. It was beautiful on her, but he missed it terribly.

    His heart hated him for not letting her know he was there, to at least know she had her friend there watching over her as he had since she was born. But how could he confront her now, broken and empty. The Zyphlin she knew may've been able to, but he did not feel like that man anymore.

    Then it struck him. Perhaps he could let her know she had her guardian still, and get that lost piece of him back around his neck, all at once.

    He watched her for days until the right moment came. He saw her outside in Jiyyd, gently holding her beautiful son in her arms, the sun beaming down upon them both making them glow. He pulled out some tools of his art, ones he used seldom but still had some skill with due to his dexterous hands and eyes for detail, and went to work.

    Once finished he stored his creation within his pocket, only one last thing to do now. Waiting outside her house one night he watched her leave. Creeping behind her, the shadows giving him the protection from her eyes, he deftly snatched his Coin from her neck. The very next moment, he was back within the shaded blackness, out of her sight, just a moment before she turned.

    While she looked around nervously, trying to understand what had happened, he slipped into the house. Quietly moving past the door of the nanny's and into her son's room. There he pulled out the piece of art he had worked on for those past few days and hung it over her son's crib before moving out into the darkness once more, back into the shadows that had became his home.

    Skyla frowned as she walked back towards the building that held her son inside. She hated the feeling that was growing in the pit of her stomach.

    ‘Always listen to your gut’ he had always said.

    Her gut was telling her now that something was up, and that the coin hadn’t disappeared by mere chance alone.

    As she entered the house, she drew the air deep within her, the familiar scents of vanilla, spice, and elvish wine filling her head. His scents. She had smelled them for days, and she knew that he was here somewhere. Why he had stayed away, even though he was back home, and the reason was beyond her understanding.

    Looking down the hallway, she noticed that the door was open a little more than she had left it. Stepping into the room, she noticed a golden sparkle, dangling from the edge of Nickolai’s crib. Picking it up, she let the gold chain thread through her fingers.

    Laughing in amusement, she opened the small locket, seeing a picture of herself holding her son painted to the inside, on the other side of the locket, a pair of beloved initials. Initials that let her know that she was never alone, and she and her son would always be safe.

    “Hmmm…. A fair trade I guess… this time,” Skyla said to no one in particular, grinning wryly.

    Before Skyla left once more, she walked over to the chest of drawers next to the crib, taking out a sheet of parchment and penning a small note, leaving it out in the open for her visitor to see.

    “You are missed Zyphlin. Come back soon,” Skyla whispered into the room before she finally left.

    He had moved to leave, to slip out unseen, when he heard her entering again. Looking around he spotted the window and quickly moved it up and slipped out of it, ducking quickly around the corner of the wall as she walked in.

    He heard her moving through her room, the happy little laugh as she found the locket. He heard her kind words, closing his eyes slightly as they pained his heart. He wanted to go to her, just as he had wanted to so many times these ten days with her and others, but still his feet remained still untill he heard her leave.

    Slipping in quietly he peered over at the note, looking at the words curiously. He considered the words as he went over to the crib, looking down at the cute child asleep in it, and then headed out the window, closing it tight.

    He started the trek back to Peltarch then, slipping through the shadows of the Nars as he played the words of her note through his head. Finally it dawned on him, and taking his coin he looked along its rim.

    "Although there are many roads I travel, they always lead me to one place. Home."


  • _Six years they had loved, and known love. Six years they had spent in each others arms, embracing, laughing and knowing only the joy that was each other, and through this time none understood why. For the first three years of their relationship they had kept their love secret, even the closest friends of Zyphlin whom he confided all to, was unaware, and the thing that had made it public was the fact it had become impossible to hide.

    They loved, they lived, they took each day as it came with little plans for the future and when Gildor crept through the door at four in the morning and crawled cold, battered, beaten and tired under the blankets of the sleeping magistrate, and he stirred, awoke with a smile and brushes her hair from her bruised face and asked where she had been, she replied "don't ask if you do not want me to lie" and she would kiss the tip of his nose and he would hold her cold body tight, stroking her nodding in understanding and that was their life.

    They had an understanding, he lived his life out in the day, and she in the night, but what had kept them strong was passion, and trust, he knew she would never do anything to betray him, and she knew he would never do anything to cause her harm.

    They were the oddest couple in Peltarch, and all that people could say was "why? What does he see in her?" and all they could whisper to her was "Why? why do you choose such a man?" and neither Zyphlin or Gildor could answer them.

    But in one night it had all changed, in one single action had broken their world, struck down like a lightening splitting a tree, a tree that now lay separated on the ground never to know life again._

    It was cold the night Gildor twisted the key to her home on bardic street corner. To her shock and bewilderment the door flew open by the mer touch and she realized quickly that somebody had been there. She moved inside carefully, nervous for the fact she barely could run in her pregnant stage, and frightened about whom could have sought interest in her home. She wasn't alone, behind her was the childs father, his eyes upon the shadows, watching, scanning the room, and eased her mind by confirming the "person" had long departed.

    She shut the door and gave him a troubled look, it didn't take much for her to identify that the door had been picked, and so next she moved to the hearth to spot something left on the door of her wardrobe. A note? She pulled the dagger out and read it out loud. "Ever Watchful" was the message, but what could it possible mean? Was it a threat? a warning? she stood with the blade in her hand and pulled the door of her cabinet open to looked inside. All seemed in order at first glance, and so she hurriedly moved to the bedside, pulling a drawer open.

    She stood for a while peering in to the drawer, her mind racing to puzzle together the clues. Zyphlins belongings was missing, hers was still here, but somebody had taken his shirts and trousers. The man asked if Zyphlins items had any value, but why would the "thief" take none of hers? She looked at the dagger in her hand, turning it once, before her wrist grew weak, trembled and the weapon dropped.

    Gildor fell to the floor, sitting, glaring in to the floorboards in silence.

    Zyphlin, it had his initials on the back, he was back? Or it was a prank? it was a damn cruel prank if it was. The man asked what she would do if he had returned, but Gildor did not answer, too early to answer, too early to know.

    Confused, and lost she took his hand and they moved to the bed, he held her tight whiles she secretly glanced at the dagger behind his back.

    The next morning Gildor got up and made herself a cup of tea.


  • Thank you all for the kind words once again. 🙂


  • _Catch me as I fall,
    say you're here and it's all over now.
    Speaking to the atmosphere,
    no one's here and I fall into myself.
    This truth drives me into madness.
    I know I can stop the pain if I will it all away.

    "Here, let me get down there and help you get it out."

    At this the old grey haired bard watch the barbarian woman walking out easily, a chest on her shoulder.

    "Or you can just do it yourself, that works too."

    She sat it down, looking over the chest curiously.

    "Let me look at it, I've got a talent for these kind of things."

    However the woman didn't really seem to take much notice, looking over the locks and mechanisms of the chest as the bard futilely tried to peer over her broad tall shoulders and finally settled for around her biceps.

    All this Zyphlin watched from the shadows. He had entered the town quietly, moving through the opaque darkness of the streets, until he had saw the two of them off in the little garden near the commons. He crouched down, taking cover between some barrels and the shadows, watching quietly as they seemed to be milling around the garden. It had seemed lightening had begun to rain down upon an area there, tickling the curiosity of the old bard and finally causing him to dig down into the ground there, which eventually led to the discovery of the aforementioned chest.

    Staying low he saw the man that was now his replacement come up, regarding the two coming out of the whole curiously. He listened to them talk, trying to figure out what was best to do with the chest, till they finally decided to drag it back to the theater to examine it as they were joined by the lieutenant of the far scouts.

    The four, the barbarian woman lugging the chest, headed through the streets of Peltarch, and Zyphlin followed through the shadows(smiling slightly to himself I might add, for he knew he was far from the first sneak to tail the most famous bard in all of Narfell). Watching them enter into the college he cursed his loss of the key to the door, but knew another way. Quickly he dashed into the docks, moving through the alleys he had grew to learn so much better in the past tenday, to the entrance into the sewers. Slipping out one of his keys lining the inside of his vest he quickly unlocked the gates and moved in. Once underneath he took to a sprint, dashing through the sewer passes, his mind going slightly to the happier times years ago when a relationship and friendship that seemed like it would last forever was blooming for just a moment, until he reached the gate he needed. Rolling it down he made it to the door he knew would lead into the guild. Grabbing the key he was gifted from his brother bard, he slipped in.

    He crept through the halls of his beloved theater, following the voices he heard wafting through them. He heard all four of the ones who he had saw come in but there was another voice he heard, a sweet voice that settled his warring heart for just a moment. Creeping forward invisible and silent he saw her there, the one who's letter was the final strand to of rope pulling him back to this land.

    They had managed to open the chest and it appeared that within they had found a glorious harp. Adam had it in his hands, looking over curiously as Lucia and Azreal looked over the chest. He listened to them speak for a time, trying to get a bearing upon were to go from there, until Adam finally stated they should check the library.

    Zyphlin, hearing the plan, moved off before them, planning on slipping in and hiding within the library before they arrive. Once within he crept behind a shelf, magic hiding him as well while his boots kept him light and silent. After a minute Skyla, Adam, and Evendur moved in, the other two apparently leaving, uninterested in such studies. The three took to the books, looking for what information they could.

    He watched with interest and as he watched he deeply wanted to pull off his helm and join them, to see their smiles and to help them. But despite his heart asking him for such a thing his mind kept him silent and still. He listened as they searched, flipping through the pages of book, until he heard them find it. Flipping it open they peered over the pages, trying to find what information they could about the harp. As they looked he heard Bromley speak up, stating his wish Zyphlin was there.

    The words sent a pain through his heart, listening as he asked Skyla if she had heard from them. As he listened to them speak about him the need to go to them, to rely on them and to allow them to help him, but still he stayed where he was, tucked behind the book shelf.

    They turned back to their work, finding some passages concerning it and beginning to piece together the puzzle of it. The pages were faded, many words missing, and it was hard to work it. Adam was trying to find a way to restore it, thinking aloud. With their concentration was on the book Zyphlin decided it was his time to leave, the pain of the conversation earlier and his inability to move on it being to much on him, slipping out the door. However a thought passed through his head and he quickly penned a note pointing them in the direction of some things going on in Narfell and advice on the restoring the book, and pinned it to the door with one of his daggers.

    As he made his way back out he thought on the reason for the leaving the dagger there, the one with his initials etched into it. Maybe it was a subconscious cry for help, maybe it was to let them know he was watching out for them, maybe he simply wanted to feel close to them in some way. He didn't know, and he pushed the thought away, for it only added to the dread feeling he had for avoiding them all. However despite the pain he felt due to the decision and from seeing them he felt that was what was needed, and thus he bit down against this resolve and forced the pain back away into the box he had stored it all in, locked away deep inside._


  • Lovin' it! 🙂


  • _I know a place where we can be free.
    Away from the shackles of daily routine.
    Escape from the demons that crowd your mind.
    It's there for the taking, seek and you'll find.

    He rested on top of one of the larger buildings of the dock districts, nestled into the shadows against an old fashioned gargoyle as he looked down upon the city he had so long considered as his. He had been here for a tenday now, still managing to avoid detection from anyone save for the times he meant to reveal clues. Always in the shadows, always lurking and hiding. The shadows gave a sense of security, of safety for him, a place he could relax and empty his mind of all the horrors and demons that lurked within.

    It was as he was sitting there, thinking and brooding within the shade of night, when he heard the scream from deeper within the docks. He bolted up, sliding his helm quickly back onto his head and hands going to the hilts of his weapons at this side, and started along the roof tops in the direction of the scream.

    He leaped from roof top to roof top, slowly getting closer to the ground as he moved, picking his targets as he approached. Finally, in an alley between two low level buildings, he saw it. A group of four men, one of which was dressed in the garb of a blood spider, had a young woman trapped between them. She was badly beaten, and cowering now, crying as the four men looked on, leering at her.

    Zyphlin looked down upon them, his eyes lingering on the blood spider in his black and red outfit. Before his eyes the man changed in his vision, his minds playing tricks on him. He no longer saw the stocky slicked hair man in the blood spider outfit, instead he saw the man that had begun to haunt his dreams, his thoughts. He saw him garbed in red, the metal coif over his head, the smirk on his face and the blades at his side that had nearly ended Zyphlin's life.

    Without thinking he began to hum, the deep dark death march, the Dirge, that had been on his lips for so long since he left Peltarch. The song began to rise, becoming louder but keeping the deep brooding pitch as he tensed his legs. The four looked up at the sound and as their eyes looked up they saw a shadow of death darting down from the roof tops, what the woman would later call a Dark Angel there to save her life.

    His blades bit into the first one, piecing straight through his chest before a scream could escape his lips. With the body impaled he turned it to the others, shielding himself from two thrown daggers by the none blood spider thugs remaining. Shucking it aside he reached into his pout, producing a small instrument, growing even as he wall pulling it out. The strings were gone, but in his fury, in his connection with the weave and the Dirge, he needed no strings. He pluck a cord from strings that were now there and a loud deep tone pitched out at the two, hitting their ears and sending them to the ground asleep.

    He turned now, eyes blazing from behind the helm, square on the blood spider who he did not see, he only saw the man of his vengeance, of his hatred. He stalked forward as the blood spider came on, longsword high. Zyphlin dodged out of the first strike, parrying the second, playing with the man. Finally on the third strike he parried it high, sending the spider off balance long enough to jab a short sword straight up through his throat and into his skull. Swinging his blade down to his side he brought a foot up and booted the dead man off his blade.

    The woman looking up at him stood in terror for a moment, seeing a dark man akin to a shadow standing there, his breath heavy and thick, the hum never stopping but instead increasing in intensity, in rage as he stared down at the man. She took her chance, and ran, thankful to have her life.

    His eyes bore down on the dead blood spider, seeing the man there, seeing the laughing face, until it finally slowly faded along with the rage and the Dirge. Looking to the two sleeping culprits he moved over to them, binding their hands. Turning them all invisible he dragged them over to the front of the Guard House before turning back up into the shadows that allowed him to escape the daily troubles of life and the demons that dwelled within him_


  • _Here's to the nights
    We felt alive
    Here's to the tears
    You knew you'd cry
    Here's to goodbye
    Tomorrow's gonna come too soon

    He left the inn quietly, the rage dieing down and understanding coming to him. He knew he had to try to move on, try to force it, no matter the pain it may cause. He quickly moved through the streets to his house…“Her house now” he thought…and reached to his side for his “keys” he had used so long. Picking out the right lock pick he slipped it into the lock and popped it easy.

    Into the house he slipped. He could smell the sweet sent of her tea, of her hair, but he could smell something else. Something poignant, something foreign. He didn't need to think of what the smell was, what it could be. It was the smell of another, it was the smell of betrayal. He stuffed his rage back down, along with the sudden feeling or pain that shot through his heart. He went about his intended goal, moving from place to place within the house gathering all his possessions. He stuffed it quickly into a bag, shuffling memories aimlessly in a daze into the sack.

    Finally, once he had removed it all he moved to sit. At first on the bed he had spent so many nights at first by himself, then with her in his arms, and then stopped. No, he knew what had likely been going on in that bed, and he would not touch it. Instead he moved to a chair, sitting quietly, and pulling out a flash of elven wine. He poured a glass, feeling the tears of memories streak down his face, and took a small sip, tasting the liquid as it mixed with the salt of his tears. After the sip he moved over to the hole to the sewers, dumping the rest with a small prayer.

    He began to leave, when his eyes went to the pot. A cold thought came through his mind, a thought so malicious it shocked him it even passed. He remembered what he had within one of his boxes, old items of an investigation. His mind played with what would happen to a child with such vile machinations running through its veins before its birth, the amount of pain it would cause the woman. But his heart pushed it away, it would not allow for such evil thoughts to happen this night, and it could still not…even after all this…bare that much ill will towards her…though her lover was a different story. Instead, he took out a note, writing something simple on it. A threat, and a promise, all in one, and with a dagger nailed it to the cabinet as a final goodbye before moving out into the night._


  • very, very good, a pleasure to read as always.

    😉


  • _Hit or miss, fuck or fight
    its time to live your life
    go ahead, I know I´m right
    I´m gonna lay it on the line
    put yourself in my shoes
    would you stand up for your rights?
    Line´em up and knock´em down
    I´m not running scared tonight!

    He was moving quietly through the streets of Peltarch, thinking silently as he slid through the different shadows. He had saw her the day before, sitting there in the commons. He had planned on heading out there to sit in his old seat, and at the least watch his old friends. But when he had saw her his knees had gone weak and his heart screamed out against him. He had stopped for a moment, simply staring, until his mind reminded his lungs they needed to take in oxygen if he had planned on making it past the next minute or so.

    Now he paced the streets, confused, alone, unsure of why he let his feet bring him back here. He had found out a lot about the group of Ikurus's, and was working hard to do some good concerning that and those involved, but what did that really matter? Was it really doing any good? And then there were his friends, he had saw many the past few days but couldn't get the courage to speak to them, to show his face and say “Hi” to those he had once held so close. And then there was her, the specter that would not leave his thoughts. He had passed their old house…¦hell his old house till he conceded it to her when she wanted to buy it and asked him if he minded…a number of times, mind and heart giving a hundred different messages, all of which conflicted.

    He needed to get his mind off things, he needed to get past these thoughts somehow. It was then that he heard the young crier boy running through the street proclaiming the “Titans War” was happening within the ferret. He had heard of them before, and he thought perhaps a bit of a battle could do him well and let him release some of his frustration and anger. As well, he knew who now owned it. Knew the Red Bastard that likely moved through that place, who watched over it, who probably had the woman he loved up in the rooms above countless times by now.

    He pushed the thoughts out of his head. It didn't help anything, it was self defeating and did him no good. So what, if the whore was with him so be it, it was none of his concern. He kept telling it to himself, repeating it in his mind as a mantra, trying to clear his head. She was nothing, a cheap slut that did nothing but played out a self fulfilling prophecy, the type that only happen because the person wants them to.

    The confusion now was offset with rage, and that was good. Rage was good. Confusion was hard to think through, but rage, rage was easy to release. He made his way to the ferret, slipping through the shadows with ease. He spoke to Anah there, knowing exactly what to say to the flirty waitress to get the backroom pass. He had spent a good deal of coin there in the slots before, a small habit of his, however he had decided that night he would give no more of his money to the man that tried to kill his body and that did destroy his soul then he absolutely had to. He glided down the stairs to the arena, seeing many that he knew, but one in particular.

    There she sat, watching it all, fat with the sin of her deeds. His feet begged to leave, to turn and flee, but he kept them there. He let the rage build, let the hum of anger and despair fill him. Gripping his blade he focused his eyes on the ring, stepping out of the shadows and cloak and striding straight to the middle, staring at those around, cold eyes looking through the metal of his helm, daring anyone to step in.

    In walked a cleric, one he had seen before and knew any other day would've walked over him in such a dual. Any other day the holy powers of war welling within her would have over taken him. Unlike past days though, this time something was different. This time the field of battle was covered by the haze of rage, of anger, of pain. This time there was a point to the battle.

    She began to cast and he let her, walking slowly. Let her have her spells, his blades would strike despite it. Finally she came at him as he strode forward, her sword coming down. He smirked, a vicious smile hidden by the helm, blocking her blade and stabbing out, slipping his dagger in through the crease of her armor, surprising her.

    She backed off, regaining herself as he stepped back himself, beginning a hum of a low and powerful Dirge, the dark song the embodiment of all he was feeling a that moment. And with that they lunged back in, blades going, spells being wove. Each strike of his blade was done with purpose, with force, with his very being placed within it. Each parry knocking her blade away with pure and utter determination.

    The battle went on for near ten minutes while the competitors matched blades and spells, as the woman on the outside and Zyphlin's closest friend exchanged a numbered of pointed glances while watching. Finally Bob, the rotund man running the battle, called for it to end, declaring it a draw. Zyphlin's fists clenched his blades tight, a draw was not what he wanted. He craved a victory, he craved blood, but it seemed he would not get it that night. As the gates opened he stalked out, ignoring the questions and the looks of those around him. With a step past the rest he called forth onto the weave, cloaking himself from sight, and moved away.

    As he walked away, his back towards her, he could feel the rage tingling through his body but a single tear slide down his cheek. He would not run, he would not leave, no matter how much he wanted. There were things he had to do here, things he could help with, things he could make work, and he would not let her whorish indiscretions keep him from that or cause him to flee. He would not run._


  • _Every single day
    Every word you say
    Every game you play
    Every night you stay
    I'll be watching you

    [Day One, Encounter One]

    "Now we've got a name."

    Zyphlin stayed low, listening as the two talked, smirking slyly as he listened to their plans.

    "Crimson Tide, you like?"

    "Its got a certain ring to it" Cray said with a small half smile.

    As Zyphlin listened more he started realizing more of the story, putting the pieces together just like his mind had been conditioned to do. The pale on, Ikurus, was reforming Deacons little pirate band. Zyph had be wondering how long it would be before someone would try that after hearing about Deacon's departure, but never would've guessed this kid to be the one.

    As the story continued more information came out which he took into his head with greedy need. Stories of drug dealing, pirating, prostitution, and a dozen other things were told. It was a start, but Zyphlin needed names. But he knew he would get them. He would watch this one, he would become his shadow, and when the time came that shadow would consume him.

    [Day One, Encounter Two]

    He watched the two move away, their little talk done, thinking they were so cunning, so smooth. Perhaps they were, maybe it was nothing but luck that he had managed to be there, at that moment, in those shadows to listen. But then, luck is the department of those devout to Tymora wasn't it.

    He had planned on moving out then, getting somewhere to pass on the information if he could, but he caught sight of someone out of the corner of his eyes. A beautiful young raven haired woman, a definite foreign and exotic feel to her, wrapped in teal armor. "Where have I seen that woman before?" he thought, and then it hit him. She was the mute woman, the one studying under Mirkali and Adam. Satisfied being able to place her he went to move on his way, until he saw her begin to follow Ikurus.

    What in all hell's was she getting into. She couldn't be just another of his whores could she? No, she seemed to at least have some sense about her despite apprenticing under Bromley and Mirkali (You see, a little known secret of that family line is that none of them may be sane nor have any sense about them). Stalking quietly over after the woman he found she was heading towards the large archers tower to the east. He moved underneath the structure, moving between the wooden legs of the tower and staying low within the darkness it cast from blocking out the sun. Quietly he crept beneath the ramp up, hearing the voices of Ikurus and an elven woman he had known by the name of Erevaine and a third, strained and quiet, that he figured must've been Taira's.

    He listened as they talked and bantered. The more he heard from Ikurus the more he realized the mage was nothing more then a child that had bit off far to much he could chew. He had some talent about him for manipulating people, that was something, but someone was definitely pulling most of his strings at any time.

    Hearing the words and the tone of Erevaine he knew exactly who it was. The woman was forceful, truthful but yet lieing at all the same time. A talent Zyphlin couldn't help but feel a grudging respect to. Every word the woman said was in a calm friendly tone but seemed like it must've been lined with deadly poison.

    It seemed Taira must've had dealings with prostitution or the sort in her past, as she was far from pleased with hearing about Ikurus's current business. The three bickered for some time as Zyphlin listened, keeping note of what was important but realizing something further. He wanted information, he wanted to stop this group from growing, but he realized then he also wished to look out for this woman. For one she seemed to be dating his protégé which meant that Ikurus would be likely to feel Zyph's dagger deep in his back if he so much as touched her. But more then that, she was now a kin of Zyphlin in a way, a fellow bard in his line, and for that he felt a form of protectiveness over her.

    He heard Erevaine finally get sick of the conversation and leave, trying to act calm but sounding nothing like it in the connotations of her voice. Once she leaved Ikurus's whole attitude changed, as Zyphlin assumed it would. He was a lot less confident, and a lot more considerate to the feelings of Taira, but of course the woman wasn't having any of it. "Good girl" Zyphlin thought with a small smirk on his face.

    However, Zyphlin had no intentions of making her do the job all by herself. Casting a quick spell of invisibility and grabbing a hold onto the top of the archers tower he flipped himself up, landing squarely and quietly crouched on top staring down at Ikurus. Slowly he moved down behind him, blade out and ready. He watched as Taira was around the corner then moved up to Ikurus, a blade sliding around flat against the mans throat, the other pointed sharply into the middle of his back.

    "Listen and listen well boy…" Zyphlin said, flatly and cold, quietly into the ear of Ikurus. "If someone so much as touches a hair on her head...you or your men...you will die and lose BOTH your heads. savvy'" the last bit said in a mocking tone mimicking Ikurus before he pushed the mage forward, giving him a chance to dive back down off the ramp and move back into the shadows.

    He smiled slyly behind his helm, he could hear the mages nervous words as he felt the metal leave, blubbering about trying to figure out what was going on. Taira was assuring him it was Karma, and that brought a small silent chuckle to Zyphlin. Karma perhaps, fate, luck, whatever you'd like to call it…but the simple fact was that she had found herself a Guardian Angel, albeit a dark one.

    [Day One, Encounter Three]

    He had slipped off once more, now outside the gates of Norwick. He had found a nice tree to slip up into, with enough shade to keep him shadowed from sight. He wanted to watch, and make sure that the fool mage understood what was expected out of him. Let him go about his little business of prostitution and games, someone would get him in the end, but he was not to touch Taira.

    The foreign lass was continuing her declaration of karma, speaking a strange tongue continually to Ikurus, trying to persuade the poor by that he was getting hexed. However he wasn't buying it to much, and more so, it was making him start to get some sense of real footing. If it wasn't Karma like she keeps saying then maybe it was just his imagination, or just some freak thing. That was likely what was going through his head, or at least what he was he seemed to be thinking as his actions picked up.

    Shaking his head slightly Zyphlin reached into his belt, producing a fine throwing dagger. "That kind of thinking just won't do" he thought to himself, smirking slightly. One last message, a bit more of a permanent reminder to the young mage.

    Quickly he penned a note and attached it to his dagger. Setting up his aim right he let fly with the missile, quickly diving back afterwards and throwing and invisibility up as he rolled into the shadows unseen. The dagger flew true, screaming right past the ear of Ikurus and burying itself in the wall.

    The people around him gave a small cry of surprise as the dagger whistled by. He nervously picked it up, looking around, his fear and suspicion rising back up quickly. "Good," Zyphlin mused, "that's what it was supposed to do."

    Ikurus quickly unfolded the note, looking over the hidden message within; "Remember my warning boy, and all will be well."

    [Day Two, Encounter One]

    He moved through the woods like a stalker, hunting his pray. However this time his pray was no deer or other game, it was a pink haired bard that he had months back put much hope into.

    He followed stealthily as her and the nature cleric moved through the Rawlins. He wanted to talk to her about something, about the half-orc Gagor. He saw the reaction on her face and knew what she was thinking. After all, Gagor was to be part of their group.

    He slipped up into a tree, listening quietly as the nature cleric recited his tale of horror about the half-orc to the young bard. He waited for the right moment, he knew it would come, as the young bard sat and listened to her lover. Finally she spoke up, words going about the tide. That was his moment, and with expert aim he sent his dagger darting down, stabbing next to her. He leapt from the tree's, wrapping himself in the weave for extra protection from view. The cleric darted from the little cleft in the forest, looking with anger for the man he thought had attempted to take the life of his love, however he saw no one. The young bardic lass however had the dagger in hand and looked at the note attached with slight trepidation.

    [Day Six, Encounter One]

    Things were moving quick and well now. The information he had uncovered was skillfully placed in the right hands, and they acted upon it so perfect to what he wanted that they could've been attached to marionette strings. Two of the bards had been talked to and taken, another soon perhaps, if shaken enough.

    He saw them enter town, saw the nervous looks of the man he had became the shadow of over the past tenday. A small smirk came over his face at that look, knowing his hopes of paranoia had succeeded. Him and the monk left the still free bard in the commons and moved off to talk to a woman Zyph had trusted would use the information well, and that she had. Infiltrating their ranks and gaining their trust, at least partially enough to get some information that was needed.

    He followed after, listening to their talks, and the worried words of the mage. Time was growing short however. He needed to keep him on edge just a little longer before the net was set. He didn't plan on getting him arrested, not if he took notice to these warnings and actually seemed to change his ways. But the more he watched the more it seemed that wouldn't happen.

    Watching and hearing the mage's words he realized however that the master actress still couldn't compete to much with coincidence. Coincidence is perhaps the one sense that those lacking real wisdom can touch on so easily, oddly enough. He needed to make sure to keep her safe, at least partially, and knew and easy way to do it. From the roof topics he let fly another dagger, barely missing the beautiful red head, and slamming into a wall. Like a shadow he was off, he had one more thing to do that day. The note and dagger would do enough there to assure she wasn't in league with him.

    [Day Six, Encounter Two]

    He penned a quick note before descending into the commons, sliding gracefully from shadow to shadow over to the bard Lilly. Silently dropping the note next to her he turned tail, back up into the rooftops and shadows, letting the note do its work.

    She looked over it, and as she did he saw the confusion on her face. He would discover the reason for that later in coming tendays. However at the time she simply looked at it confused and then seeing Ikurus return gave it to him.

    The pale mage looked over the note and frowned, not wishing to tell the bard what it said. "Fine, that works even better" the shadow singer thought. And sure enough, it did as needed. The young lass was nervous and worried. She bid Ikurus to head to Norwick but let her stay in Peltarch a bit longer. He wasn't to happy with it but an arrow, its tip a gooey mass instead of an arrow head, slamming into his side and emitting a deep low dirge magically, quickly changed his thoughts. With a low mutter the mage agreed and headed down the Nars.

    [Day Eleven, Encounter One]

    He watched quietly as the main whore whose name he had heard came near the north gate of Norwick along with a rather large armored human. Zyphlin gave a small smirk as he thought about the fact that most large armored men rarely hear lithe quiet ones.

    He had realized that the time for intimidation, of fear, had passed. Ikurus was not going to veer from his path, or more so some of the people pulling his strings wouldn't allow it in the long run. The first cards had been dealt, the flop was down, and he'd been playing the cards. Now it was time to flip the last and let them show their hands.

    Sending one last dagger, his cards in this little poker game, down near the whore. She seemed an easily excitable one and it proved to be true. The dagger and the note attached, proclaiming an end to all whores that were riding the tide, sent her into a worried frenzy. Her and the man looked everywhere for the owner of the dagger but to no avail.

    Zyphlin was already off, tucking into a dark corner of the Boarshead. Ikurus would be back down soon, and she'd obviously go running to him. Now it was time to see what his hand held.

    [Day Eleven, Encounter Two]

    She told him he needed to talk to him.

    He looked at her face, and his lit up with frustration and anger.

    "Stop…...Let - Me -Guess."

    And guess he did, and she nodded in agreement to it, handing him the dagger and note.

    He calmed, his words smooth, his motions seeming confident and logical.

    It was obvious the emotions that were running deeper, the breaking point had.

    The cards were dealt, the last bets were made. And Zyphlin slipped out of the bar and up to Peltarch to lay his hand down.

    [Day Eighteen, Encounter One]

    He slipped down into the jail he had worked in for so long, slipping through the shadows easily and avoiding the routes of the guards. Moving quietly through the stone jail, his boots padding his foot falls against the hard ground, until he saw him. Slumped down against the wall, the smirk gone from his pale face, draped in rags. Zyphlin turned to leave, and he took the pot._