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Five Dragons: TLoP: Chapter 2: Saphire Blue Eyes


A bright light fell down on Roland, who came to himself in the cave ...

With his eyes still closed, he tilted his head lazy back and forth. He tried unsuccessfully to ignore the aching throb of his right leg. Finally the boy opened his eyes slowly and ran a hand through his hair, looking up at the shining hole in the ceiling. The beam of light was now directly above him and the stone base.

Surprisingly, a low cooing entered his ears. Only now did he notice the warm bruise on his left thigh and the gentle hum at his side. Roland hesitantly looked down at his lap. A creature lay peacefully at his side, head and paw over his leg. Sleepy, it waved the head to the side and yawned with his mouth open.

“Woohh!” He screamed in shock when he saw the many small teeth. The boy frantically pushed the thing away from him and panicked backwards away from the base until he reached the wall under one of the faded tapestries. He pushed himself hard against the wall and tried to get up, holding on the old fabric. But the arras teared off and he fell back on the ground. “What the?! How in the world?” Roland looked at the creature that was waking up at the same moment. He couldn't see it exactly because it was still in the shadow of the pedestal.

Two large, sapphire blue eyes shimmered from the dark to the boy. He swallowed once when this strong gaze hit him. The creature slowly approached and walked in the light. Roland let his mouth open and couldn't believe his eyes. He pinched his arm once to make sure he didn't dream it. “That can't be true!?” He muttered to himself in amazement.

A little dragon, the size of a young wolf, took one cautious step after another towards him. The color of the scales shimmered brightly in the light and let the whole room shine with this magical glow. It was a dark, orange red. There was a faint glint as if the body were covered with small pieces of metal. The color became stronger and darker towards the paws. Four black claws moved across the stone floor at each paw. Three forward and one on the side of the paw, like a little thumb. Long, leathery wings with dark gray membranes were folded on the back. Each wing arm had a short black thumb claw and two black horns grew on the back of the head, each with a smaller one to the rear. A short black bone tip appeared at the tail.

Roland immediately thought of the strange stone he was holding before he stepped away. “Was this really a dragon's egg?” He wondered. “How did it get in here. And why? Why did it hatch right now?”

His thoughts showered him with questions. But his inner voice suddenly stopped when he felt a sharp pain. The orange-red lizard had reached the boy and had nudged his injured leg with the nose. Roland groaned loudly. The hatchling then sniffed short at the wound and shook its head, raised its ears and looked at him with a curious look. It tilted the face slightly to the side. The boy just sat there, not knowing what was coming. As if paralyzed, he stared into the shimmering blue dragon eyes that met him.
The lizard came closer to his face, took a deep breath and opened its mouth slightly. Roland closed his eyes in panic, turned his face to the side anxiously and held out his left hand protectively. Tears of sweat ran from his forehead, not knowing what will happen next. “Meeep!” he heard the little dragon loudly.

Relieved, he opened his eyes again. No fire, no teeth that bite him, not even a loud roar. He only heard a quiet cooing from the creature. Suddenly he felt a paw on his thigh. The little dragon slowly approached his face. He felt a scaly paw in his still raised hand that was slowly pushing it out of his sight. Shortly thereafter, his attention was caught in two deep blue sapphires.

Roland heard the hatchling's soft purr and felt its pleasant vibrations. A turquoise shimmer appeared around the round pupils, in which a short, bright spark flashed. Holding the tip of the nose against each other’s, the two of them looked into each other's eyes for a long time. He felt the velvet paw in his hand and how the claws pressed gently against his fingers. Without realizing it, the claws of the dragon hooked his fingers.

After this intense look, the hatchling closed his eyes and confidently licked Roland's cheek. The claws loosened from his hand, the creature snuggled back to his side. With a peaceful cooing, it put his head back over his thigh and snorted contentedly.

The boy sat there paralyzed. Not knowing what had just happened there. Still, he was amazed. “A dragon!” He thought to himself. “A real, living dragon is right next to me.” He had seen a few dragons in Ordenary, but this was different.

Reluctantly, he put his hand on the creature's back. He heard a peaceful coo from the lizard. Roland slowly moved his hand towards the head. Scale by scale, between the wing arms over the neck, up to the horns. They all felt very smooth. Completely different than he suspected.

When his hand reached the forehead, the dragon looked at him from below. The creature half closed its eyes and let out a long, satisfied “Churr”. Roland saw his reflection in the creature's big dark blue eyes. They shone like gemstones with a fine trace of turquoise around the iris. That look said more than a thousand words. In witch this bright spark flashed again.

Roland felt a clear connection between him and the dragon. He didn't know where that feeling came from, but it was there. There was no doubt about that. This dragon belonged to him. A thought he really liked.

Sunk in thoughts, he started to stroke the hatchling on the flank, which the lizard liked all too well. It turned sideways onto the back and cheerfully stretched the legs up. A satisfied “Chirp” was the answer. The scales on the abdomen and the underside were dark gray, with some lighter parts in the area of the neck and between the hind legs.

“You like that, don't you?” Roland thought, running both hands over the hatchling's stomach. The little dragon closed the eyes cheerfully and began to purr softly. Without a doubt, he enjoyed the pats. Roland's gaze fell on the area between the hind legs. “So,…” He started calmly, raising an eyebrow and looking the dragon in the face. “You're a dragon girl, I see.” He said, putting on a slight smile. The little dragoness gave a happy “Meep” and looked at Roland with her eyes half closed.

The boy's gaze wandered around the room again. “Good. Enough played.” He interrupted his strokes abruptly. “We won't get out of this with stroking alone.” The hatchling got up, gave an approving “Churr” and licked Roland across his face in one go.

“Thank you.” Roland said sarcastically, wiping his cheek dry with his sleeve. He straightened up slightly and looked down at her. “You don't know the way out, do you maybe?” The dragoness tilted her head slightly and snorted hard once. “Would have been too nice.” He added with a disappointed undertone, not sure if she could understand him at all.

He continued to look around the room. “The tunnel from which I came is a dead end.” Roland began to enumerate his options: “The room looks like a prayer hall. And if it really was one, the people must have come in here somehow. He grabbed his head with both hands and looked at the ceiling.

The little female dragon watched the boy excitedly. She cooed quietly, almost as if she was giggling.

“Hardly all of them got in through the roof?” This thought even made him smile. “Oh, I'm not getting anywhere!” He sighed, throwing his hands away as he sat on the pedestal. Roland looked at his companion and shrugged briefly. “Do you have any ideas?” He asked her with a raised eyebrow and a weak smile on his face.

The female cocked her head to one side and looked at him for a moment with that cute expression. Then she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Paused for a moment she pushed a small flame out of her mouth, which quickly turned into a black cloud of ash. Roland held one hand in front of his mouth in a panic and waved the soot fog out of his face with the other. “What the …?!” He coughed in alarm. The boy dodged to the side and looked angry at the little dragoness. This made a small jump of joy and looked happily up at the cloud. The ashes floated in the cone of light and made the room darken somewhat.

But not for long. The soot particles were pulled away in wavy patterns. Roland saw the cloud carried to one of the ragged tapestries. He bowed his head and closed his eyes. “Clever girl.” He muttered under his breath and walked towards the tapestry.

In fact, with the hand held in front of it, a faint air flow was felt. Roland pulled on the yellowed fabric until the rotten bracket gave way. A deranged wooden door emerged. Individual parts had broken open, as if something or someone wanted to come in from the other side.

He looked back at the dragoness who was standing right behind him. “Did you know about this?” He asked her, pointing his hand back to the door. She looked at him with her eyes half open and gave a calm “Churr”. He looked ahead again and shook his head once. “Anyway.” He added. He pressed hard against the door. “Hmmm! Come on, get open!” He groaned loudly and braced himself against the door with all his might. The aching throb of his leg, however, suddenly reminded him that nothing would come of this action.

The gate did not move. Neither forwards nor backwards. “Great, and now!?” He complained loudly as he pulled away from the door. He gripped his wounded leg with one hand and scratched the back of his head with the other. He heard a low cooing behind him. He looked at the female, who was sitting upright on the floor, holding her head slightly tilted and raising her ears. “You think that's still funny, huh?” He asked, looking her in the eyes and raising an eyebrow. The female nodded and closed both eyes halfway. A happy “Meep” she added to it. “Great, enclosed in a chamber with no open exit!” He began and started waving his arm vigorously. “With a dragon who thinks it's funny too!” He added sarcastically, waving his hand at the female.
The dragoness stood on all fours and bowed her head down, her ears and wings aggressively laid back. There was a faint growl from her. Roland stopped motionless, holding his arms apart and looking nervously back at her. “What is it? Did I say something wrong?” She snorted hard once and pointed at the boy with her snout. Roland raised his eyebrows and shrugged. “What do you mean?” He didn't understand what she was trying to tell him.

A bright glow from his back suddenly made him flinch. He turned his head back, startled. A shimmering blue rune had appeared on the door.

“Oh, that was it!” Said the boy in astonishment. The female raised her head again and rolled her eyes slightly as she cooed. “Sorry.” He added with a weak grin, patting the female on the head with praise. A quiet “Churr” was heard afterwards.

Roland stood in front of the rune. The sign was identical to the symbol of the ceiling window and there was a slight crackle. He curiously held his hand close and the rune began to shine more brightly. Startled, he pulled it back and the bright glow dimmed again.

“This is strange?” He felt a something familiar aura emanating from the symbol. “What if I …?” Reluctantly, he put his right hand on the rune. Roland turned his head sideways and closed his eyes anxiously, expecting something unwanted to happen. He held his breath nervously.

And nothing happened.

He opened his eyes hesitantly. “Phuhh!” He exhaled in relief. The glow began to dim until it finally went out. The boy took his hand from the door and looked at the female somewhat helplessly. “That was strange” He looked at his hand and had to smile. “Almost felt like ...”

The dragoness first took a step towards Roland, but then shrank back. She took an aggressive stance and hissed once. Roland froze in shock. The rune had now appeared on the back of his right hand and a bright glow surrounded the boy. The hatchling held a wing in front of her face to protect herself from the glare and hissed again.

“By the …?!” The boy shouted. His right arm began to move tense by itself. There was a deep rumble through the room and the air seemed to pulsate. The mark on the back of the hand began to glow red and Roland cried out in pain.

His arm leaned toward the door. The sign reappeared on the gate and also began to shimmer red. “AN GARAD!” A loud echo sounded through the room and the door caught fire. The passage was blown open with a subsequent bang. Roland was thrown back by the blast and remained stunned on the ground.


“Whoa!” Roland startled, as he got up again. He was on the floor directly under the beam of light. The female dragon lay with her front legs on his chest. She backed away a little bit from him when she realized that he had regained consciousness and made a little jump of joy. She nudged his head hard when he tried to sit up and threw him back on the floor again. Happily, she licked his cheek, followed by a loud “Meep”.

He stroked over her head to the neck and leaned his chin against her snout. “I'm fine.” He said with a tired smile. “Thank you.” He felt the soft hum of her soft purr. With his right hand placed on her chest, he noticed the burned-in mark on the back of his hand. “That was ... painful.” He muttered confused and stared at the new scar for a long time.

The dragoness cooed contentedly, got up and took a few steps away from him, but then stopped and turned her head to see if Roland understood the clue. He looked at the female and noticed that the door behind her was now open. Roland smiled. “You're right.” He said to her. “Time to go.”

He slowly got up and walked carefully to the door. Behind it he saw a warping corridor with a bright glow at the other end. The little dragoness looked at him, half closed her eyes and gave a quick “Churr”. Then she went through the door. Roland took a deep breath and then followed the dragoness. Together they walked side by side towards the expected exit.

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In the meantime …


“How long, Koris?” Catherine asked impatiently from the carriage. “We'll be at the bottom of the cliff shortly, my Lady!” He called, riding beside the vehicle.

The group reached the spot they had previously spotted from above the cliffs and the car suddenly came to a stop. Catherine got out and held out a hand to cover her eyes from the sun. Her eyes became clearer and she saw the remains of a tower that stretched out into the sky at the foot of the cliffs. A stream sprang up a little from the rock face and filled a lake next to the ruin.

“It used to be an archive of the old cult.” Said Gustav as he stood on the bank of the lake and looked at the ruin. He pointed a finger at the remains of the tower. “The tower is the only thing that had survived the onslaught of the hunters.” Gustav let his gaze wander thoughtfully over the ruin. “I know the stories, Gustav.” Catherine said and started walking up and down the water.

The guards had already started to search the area systematically. Captain Koris and two of his soldiers were walking around the lake when he spotted two men in brown cloaks between the rocks in the upper areas of the cliffs.
“HEY, YOU THERE!” He called. “GIVE YOU TO RECOGNIZE!” The strangers startled and quickly retreated behind the stones.

The captain waved his arm to the left. “You two go up to the left. And I'm going from the other direction.” He ordered his companions. Both nodded to him silently and drew their swords as they made their way. The guards circled the rock that covered the unknown men. Ready to fight, they jumped around the obstacle.

A black cloud enveloped the area behind. The smoke cleared fast and the two unknowns were gone. Only a few footprints remained. “At Wyverex's shadow!” Koris scolded angrily. “They can't just be gone so easily!” He looked up the cliffs curiously. “Alright, no waste of time now. Go back to the lake.” He waved a hand in the direction from which they had come. “We still have to find a boy!”

Catherine went to the three guards. “Did you find anything?” She asked in hopefully. “Two strangers in brown cloaks. They were a little further up between the rocks.” He replied, pointing with his hand to the area above the lake. “However, they were gone immediately when they noticed us.”

“Who were these men?” Catherine asked emphatically. “I don't know, my Lady. I couldn't see their faces.” He argued. The captain turned, looked up at the rocks again and raised an eyebrow. “But they seemed to have been looking for something or someone.” “Then he must be here somewhere.” She said hopefully. “Keep looking, we have to find him.”

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Meanwhile in the cave ...


Roland and his scaly companion took one step after the other towards the light. He had to take a little breather every few meters and was holding his still bleeding leg. The sound of running water could be heard and became louder the closer they got to the bright glow.

“Do you hear that?” He asked the dragoness. “There must be a stream or something.” She stopped short and listened to the sounds. The female walked ahead, turned, tilted her head to one side and gave a sharp “Meep”.

Roland leaned against the wall and waved to the hatchling once. “Just one moment. I'm coming.” He complained, breathing heavily. “You don't have to limp, either.” He pointed exhausted to his wounded leg. “Your leg is not hurt.”

She looked at him briefly, half closed her eyes and made a long “Chirp”. Then she went back to him and stood next to him. The female looked at him with a warm look and sniffed the wound a few times. She moved a little bit away and began to imitate his hobble movement with her right hind leg. Roland looked at the dragoness in amazement and then had to smile. He knelt shaky beside her and grabbed her head. He gently pulled her towards him until he made eye contact with the deep blue eyes. “I didn't mean it that way.” He slowly ran his hand over her face. She closed her eyes and cooed quietly. “But thanks for your sympathy.”

The boy smiled. The female actually seemed to understand everything he said. Roland straightened up again and continued on his way, with the dragoness at his side.

Not long after, they reached the end of the cave. He stepped into the incoming light and put a hand protectively over his face. A cool gust of air was felt and fresh air entered his nose.

When his eyes had got used to the brightness, he looked at a large lake. He was standing next to a small waterfall that covered the tunnel entrance. A neglected staircase led high pitched down. At the end of the narrow path was a ruined building with a lonely tower that had not yet completely decayed.

He looked down over the edge of the ledge to the lake and could see several people moving around the water. Roland leaned forward a little when a rock unexpectedly came loose and fell down into the water. The stone splashed into the lake with a large fountain and caught the people's attention immediately.

Koris was standing next to the ruins and was the first, who saw the water fountain. “What was that?” He called and strode up to the water. “Something fell into the water!” Argued one of the soldiers. “A rock that had probably loosened up.” He continued.

“Huh?” Koris thought, scratching his chin. He looked up thoughtfully and traced the possible trajectory of the stone. He looked at the waterfall and noticed how briefly a face emerged behind it, but immediately disappeared again. His eyes fell on the floor and he crossed his arms. “So, there he is hiding.” He noted in his thoughts and started to smile.

The captain beckoned to two guards and went with them to the ruin. He told one person to bring Lady Catherine to him. And he spoke the second guard to hide in the remains of the building and wait for his sign.

“What did you find, James?” Asked Catherine curiously when she came to the guard. “The boy is here, my Lady.” He whispered to her. A short gleam of joy flashed in her eyes, as he spoke the words. “He's hiding a little further up, behind the waterfall.” He added, pointing with his hand up to the waterfall. “But he won't come down there on his own. Not with all the guards around here.”

“And how are we supposed to get him to come down on his own?” She asked skeptically. Koris raised his hand to the waterfall. “It looks like there is only one path up to from the ruins. Gustav should call him from there to the front.” “How do you know, that this will work?” Catherine asked in surprise and raised an eyebrow. “He knows him.” Said the captain. “But you are not familiar to him, me or one of my troops neither.” He looked at her questioningly. “Will it be possible that …?” “Yes, Koris. It is.” She replied and smiled briefly at him. She seemed already to know, what he wanted to say. “But I want to be there as well.” She said decisively. He nodded once. She then went back to the carriage and returned with Gustav shortly thereafter.

Both were now alone in the ruins and looked at the path to the narrow staircase that led up to the waterfall. Koris was hiding behind a wall from where he had a good view.

“ROLAND!” Gustav called up once. “Are you here somewhere?” Roland recognized the voice. “Gustav?” he thought to himself in astonishment and looked at the dragoness. “You stay here.” He said to her and put his hand on her nose. She looked at him questioningly and snorted hard once. Then she gave a soft “Churr” and sat down, albeit a little hesitantly, on the floor. “I'll be right back.” Roland promised and patted her on the head a few times. Then he got up and turned to the stairs.

He hobbled frantically down the narrow stairs as best his injured leg allowed. The boy saw the man he knew standing between the charred walls and took a few steps towards him, but stopped when he saw the woman next to him. He looked confused at Gustav and the stranger.

She took a step towards the boy, when she saw him. “Roland?” The boy took a step back on it. He didn't know the woman and was skeptical, but looked at her nervously. She seemed familiar to him somehow. “Could it be possible that …?”

“NOW!” Koris called as he came out of cover. A guardsman jumped out from behind the crumbling wall and reached fast for the boy. Roland started to wriggle and scream. “Clam down boy, I just want to help you!” The guard tried to appease him.

Shortly afterwards there was a loud roar, that made everyone wince. The soldier let go of the boy in alarm. Roland panicked a few meters away from him and with a few flaps of the wings, a small orange-red dragon landed between the boy and the guard. The creature growled, throwing a small flame out of its throat with its head down and its ears pulled back, the wings at an aggressive angle. In addition, the bone tip of her tail was aimed at the guardsman ready to fight. The fire fizzled out and he could see the pointed fangs, accompanied by the constant, menacing growl. The guard stood motionless and looked fearfully into the blue eyes staring at him, the pupils contracted like dagger tips.

Gustav and Catherine were paralyzed and looked at the little dragon in shock. Roland recovered from the shock, breathing heavily, and saw the female in her aggressive posture. He was surprised and startled at the same time by her reaction to the events.

Koris joined with the rest of the guards. They drew their swords and stood in a line between the little dragoness and her mistress. Two put their crossbow on the hatchling and waited for a fire order.

Roland shook his head and looked at the shooters. “NO!” The boy shouted. He held his arms apart and stood in front of the female in the guard's line of fire. The dragoness hissed and spread her wings.

“Aside, boy!” The captain called, waving his arm at him. Roland looked at the man with a serious expression. He had no intention of stepping aside. “Don't do that!” He cried out loud. “She just wants to protect me!”

“Stop!” Catherine ordered, startled. “By the Five, down with the weapons!” The men reluctantly lowered their weapons and the situation seemed to relax.

Roland bowed his arms and turned to his companion. She was still growling and frantically gazing from one soldier to the next. He dropped to his knees and held her head with both hands. The boy looked deep into her eyes. “It is all good now.” He said calmly to her. “They won't hurt us. No need to get more upset.”

She found eye contact with him and the slit pupils dilated slowly, taking on a round shape again. Her breathing also calmed down. The dragoness snorted condescendingly to the men and sat down on the ground next to Roland. A wing around him she watched the new people skeptically.

Roland put an arm on the female's back and looked calmly back at Catherine and Gustav. “You see, she is not dangerous.” He replied calmly. The guards didn't understand why the dragon was listening to the boy. They looked at each other helplessly and looked for an explanation.

Gustav took a step forward. “She wanted to protect you?” He pointed his finger at him and raised his eyebrows in astonishment. “But how is that possible? Where does this dragon come from?” He added skeptically and looked at Catherine in confusion.

The woman closed her eyes and relaxed. “Doesn't matter now.” She said calmly. “We finally found him.” She went up to Roland, knelt down and smiled at him. “That's enough for me for now.” Then she looked at the dragoness. The female looked back skeptically and snorted once.

Catherine got up and beckoned to her captain. “It's okay, Koris. This dragon is not a danger to us. Your men can resign.” “Very well, Lady Catherine.” He replied, nodded to her and then turned to the soldiers. “Men! Step away. Let's pack up and head back to Ironwing.” The soldiers saluted and called at the same time. “Yes, captain.” They put their weapons in and marched back to the carriage and the horses.

Catherine turned to the boy. She smiled and held out an open hand to him. “Come on Roland, let's take you home.” The female growled softly on her. “Of course you will come too.” Said Catherine, smiling at the dragoness. The growl stopped immediately and she cooed contentedly.

The boy lost in thought. “Home.” He thought, and a foggy picture of his mother came to mind. Then he shook his head and looked up at Catherine.

He grabbed the hand she held out to him and got up. Halfway through, however, he felt a weakness. The boy lost his balance and slumped backwards to the floor. Everything started to blur in his view. His eyes darkened increasingly and noticed some shady movements around him, but then he lost consciousness.

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Meanwhile ... in a distant, dark place.


“I'm getting tired of these delays! Do you have him now, or not!?” Gasped a figure in a red robe, holding a long, golden staff in his hand. He was sitting in a stone throne and wearing a silver mask over the face. One half made a happy impression, the other a sad one. “Yes, your lordship.” Said the big man in front of him. “I mean, we had …” He added ashamedly. “Meaning of what?” Gasped the figure impatiently. “He is, well ...” He explained hesitantly. He gripped the back of his head with one hand and looked sheepishly to the side. “He fell off a cliff when we tried to catch him, so he ...” He explained, holding a hand to his forehead.

“You disappoint me again, Larzarus!” The figure held out the tip of the staff. It was shaped like a dragon's head that spits fire. “No, your lordship. I gave you my word, that I will find him and bring him to you!” The man bowed his head. “I sent my best men to get him.”

The figure rose from its throne and raised its bony hand to the man. “Your mercenary renegade pack is no longer reliable!” He picked up his staff, held it out in front of him, and began to mumble incomprehensible words. With both hands he began to swing it in a circular motion. A pitch black cloud formed around Larzarus, which moved around him like a snake. “What's that going to mean?!” The man looked at him in confusion.

The cloud built up in front of him and took the form of a tall person. The shadow stared deeply into Larzarus' red eyes. A purple glow burned on his empty face. The man in the red robe once bumped the staff on the floor. The echo of the blow sounded loudly through the room. Just after that, Larzarus was gripped by the apparition and lifted up.

“Killing me won't bring him here, either.” He panted, gasping for breath. The man with the staff raised his head to him and walked around him. “Killing you?” He said followed by a cold laugh. “No, I have something more appropriate in mind.” He pushed the staff again on the floor and the shadow began to dissolve.

Larzarus dropped to his knees. He lay on all fours and coughed heavily, the dark veil now hovered over him. The figure in the robe stood next to him, arm straight out. “It now seems time to deepen our business relationship.” He began, lowering his bony hand. The veil fell down on the coughing man and Larzarus straightened up quickly, his torso stretched up, arms back and face up. His aching cry echoed from the high dome of the roof, as the shadow entered his body through his mouth, nose and eyes and threw him heavily to the ground. The big man lay on his stomach and trembled tightly. He breathed cramping and glared angrily at the necromancer. His eyes shone with a short purple shimmer, which slowly went out until the red color of his pupils became visible again.

“Take it as an insurance, which will prevent further failure!” The masked man climbed the few steps up and sat back on the stone throne again. He leaned the wand against the side of the chair and held his bony fingertips together in front of his face.

“Now return to Parem and join the search again. I want this boy.” He held both arms apart and looked up. “Mat gorsch lucrat. Mat gorsch pechtol!” He let out loudly and his gasping echo called from the ceiling. The violet flames flickered in his eyes.

The mask glowered at the man. “How did your motto go again? Oh yes. Immortality for us…” Gasped the figure smugly with a purple sparkle in the eye sockets. Purple lights also shimmered in Larzarus' pupils and he began to move externally. He stood up slightly cramped, bowed his head forward, and shook his right arm up to his left shoulder. “Death to others.” He said, and hesitantly stepped out the door.

Larzarus was standing under the arch when he stopped coughing briefly. He put a hand over his mouth when the purple glow in his eyes faded and he was back in control of himself again. Then he shook his head and snarled outside.

A short time later a strange person entered. She was wearing a gray robe with six different symbols on it, which all seemed to shine. She moved silently into the room as if she were floating over the floor. In greeting she bowed to the necromancer. The face was invisible in the shadow of the hood. “Greetings, Lord Kargesh!” She announced aloud.

“What do you want here?” He gasped dismissively. “Our agreement has already been fulfilled.” “Oh, I can see that.” The figure replied, amused. “But it seems to me, that you have not implemented your share particularly efficiently.” An impending glow flashed behind the silver mask. For a long moment he looked at the stranger in silence.

“Why are you here now?” Asked the necromancer again. “Soul vessels.” Answered the cowl calmly. “So you found the chamber then?” Kargesh continued as he rose from his throne. “That, and the next obstacle too.” He paused for a moment. “I need five. Powerful enough to hold a Guardian's aura.”

Kargesh leaned slightly towards the stranger. His eyes gleamed greedily as he focused his bony fingers on the stranger. “And why should I help you again?” He gasped loudly. The figure's hood rose slightly. “Let's say ... I know where your prey is go for hiding and I could also help you catch it.”

A curious twinkle burned in the mask's eye sockets. “I am listening …”