The morning after the lord of the castle has been defeated is overcast and chilly. The two great hearths of the Great Hall are cold, and only one of the tables has been set out with a few mismatched chairs. At one end sits Lilith, the white-furred Eeee, looking as if she hasn't slept in days. Next to her, with her forehead still bandaged is a night-black woman with pointed ears, also looking worn out and a bit forlorn. Some cold porridge is all that they could muster up for breakfast.

Wearing Lilith's borrowed bathrobe is Tulani, sitting a bit awkwardly. Where the robe falls open the bandages wrapping her chest can be easily seen, as are the ones on her shoulder and wing where she was wounded in the fight against the dragon. The rest of the chairs are taken up by Alptraum and Arkold, who aren't exactly in the best of condition either.

The night was long, and didn't end with the death of Vorgulremik. As his influence over the staff of the castle faded, most of the servants fled into the darkness, taking whatever they could carry. Many of the men at arms, thinking they were still in their old units, began fighting with one another. And a large number of people simply had fatal accidents, either due to their confused state or by their own hands. Through it all, Lilith tried to keep things together and organize the survivors… but now there were only the five of them left in the castle.

Working with Lilith, Arkold had managed to secure some of the entrances – enough to seal off the area around the Great Hall, at least, so that anyone coming after the sarcophagus will need to come through the main entrance.

Alptraum rubs the side of his head lightly, as if trying to work out a headache. "Well, now that we're all sitting down for a moment, we need to decide what to do about the shadow of Amena that's downstairs. And when we'll abandon the castle," Alptraum says from here he sits, slouching some in the chair.

Tulani shifts slightly in her seat with some discomfort trying to keep the robe Lilith had graciously lent her from slipping apart… Sh glances around briefly at theempty hall before raising her voice, "So… has anyone come up with a plan that is at least reasonable? Ideas?"

"Victory, even real victories, are usually cheerier than this," Arkold remarks, head propped up by an arm resting on the table. He looks tired, and a little glum too. "You 'eard my plan Tulani. It's the most destructive one I could think of. I'm thinkin' about other ones."

"Destructive?" Lilith asks, looking up from the table as if struggling to stay awake. Ravenia quietly stirs her porridge with a wooden spoon.

"We're not much of an army. We can't defend it forever. You've heard mine too. None of which are great," Alptraum says and looks up slightly. He looks at Lilith and Ravenia, then sighs quietly.

Tulani tilts her head, going over the ideas that had been brought up so far in her mind. "I had an idea for dealing with that shadow… last night, but I'm not sure how it would work… " the Sphynx pauses briefly before continuing, as though unsure of how to phrase it. "Somehow, the idea of trying to destroy the coffin or Amena's shadow just doesn't seem right to me. I was trying to think if there was a way to maybe cancel it out instead."

Arkold nods. "We haul the ol' coffin to Gateway and we open the portal to Primus," the wolf explains to Lilith. "It's expensive, risky, an' long, bit I think it's the most definite way to be rid of the thing for good. Even if it ain't destroyed who's going to walk in to the sun and get it back? Ever seen Primus? I saw it at Gateway several times. It's an inferno. No room for shadows." He rubs his chin. "We'd need to acquire an airship somehow. At least movin' our enemies would have to chase us."

"The question would be how. You know what would happen if we used the Light of Nala against it. We would obliterate Sylvania," Alptraum says grimly to Tulani. He then swivels his head and looks at Arkold and comments, "You remember how much of a problem we had in opening it? I don't see how this small of a group could budge the whole thing, to be honest."

"What do you mean by Amena's shadow?" Lilith asks quietly, looking lost. "Are you talking about something to do with Necropolis?"

The Sphynx taps two of her claws together in a thoughtful gesture, while slowly speaking, "If we had a way to contain it first we might be able to do something… " She cocks an ear towards Lilith, continuing, "Yes… the thing in the coffin Vorgulremik slept on."

"Yes, exactly," Alptraum replies to Lilith and echoes Tulani. "The force which gave all the former Necromancer Kings their power trough their 'host' queen. The weapon that created the Forbidden zone near Tizhar. That's what is in that coffin down there. We can't let anyone else have it."

"What about Countess Draco," Arkold suggests, "or the Gigi and their Nala worshippers." He turns towards Lilith again and asks, "Would your family help us? Do you trust them?" Then to Alptraum he explains quickly, "An' 'ey someone moved it here from Eastern Tizhar maybe. It can be done."

Lilith turns her head to look down the corridor leading the dragon's lair, and the sarcophagus. "Umm… why didn't the Champion do anything about it? I mean, if this is where the Necromancer King fell, surely the Czar would know about that thing being here, wouldn't he?" she asks.

Alptraum twitches at the mention of the Gigi. "Did you know I was once poisoned by an Amena cult on the Gig isles? One of the women was painted with spots, heh. They beat me into unconsciousness and tried to sell me into slavery," Alptraum remarks and shrugs. "So, if the Nala worshippers find out about it, so would their counterparts, most likely."

"You can't take it to Draco!" Lilith declares, and actually slaps her hand down on the table, causing Ravenia to startle from her deep involvement with the porridge.

Nodding slowly in agreement with Alptraum's thoughts, Tulani tries to think of something helpful to add to the conversation – when Lilith suddenly pounds the table. The Sphynx looks up, slightly startled, as she replies, "Why is that Lilith?" Taking a moment to look over at Ravenia to check how she's fairing.

Arkold sits up slightly and raises an eyebrow at Lilith's outburst. "Alll-right, no Draco, no Gigi. Which leaves jus' us. Five people with limited resources an' the world's biggest necromantic toy. I ought to mention tha' we also lack the Light of Nala so if we're wantin' that at least one of us has to find it, leavin' four guards," he says.

Alptraum gets up and moves over toward Ravenia. He says as he goes, "As I'm the only current flyer, I could go after it the fastest, probably. So, if we do want to get it as you suggest Arkold, I may be our best option." He then kneels down beside Ravenia and asks her quietly, "How are you feeling, Raven?"

The elf-woman just looks shocked, and puts her hands into her lap, trying to shrink down in her seat. "The Draco family can't interfere with the supernatural order in Sylvania," Lilith explains to Tulani, calming down a little. "And whether this Shadow is a spirit, god or something else entirely, we can't be involved. I can't be involved."

Ravenia look up at Alptraum, and says, "I'm… lost. None of my memories are real, and I don't know what to do."

Tulani blinks at Lilith's explanation, but nods her head in acceptance of it, replying, "Alright then… " At Ravenia's comment Tulani immediately stands as well and walks over to the dark woman. She wrapsher arms about her in a warm hug, a worried look on her face.

"Please, don't strain yourself Tulani," Ravenia says. "Your wounds will reopen… "

"You build new ones, one day at a time. It's all you can do. I think I'm safe in saying you have at least four friends here willing to help you. If nothing else, you can come with us," Alptraum says quietly and stands as Tulani hugs her.

Alptraum then glances at Lilith and hmms. "So, I presume talking to me is even dangerous, then," he says.

Arkold gives Lilith and Ravenia both a worried look before saying, "All right Bats. Normally I wouldn't even consider lettin' anyone go after somethin' like this, but as I see it our time is limited, an' we'll be hard pressed to deal with this necromancer let alone any other interested party. We'll be overrun," he says.

"What?" Lilith asks Alptraum, suddenly confused. "No… I just can't take any action that will change things. If the Shadow is here, then… maybe it's supposed to be here. Have you considered that option?"

The Sphynx smiles warmly at Raven, looking into her eyes as the other speaks before replying, "Don't worry about my wounds Raven, I'll be ok… " She brushes a strand of hair from the woman's face, "Alptraum is right you know… come and eat your breakfast." Tulani looks up, standing as Arkold speaks.

Arkold shakes his head. "Thing is we don' know. Isn't there a library here? Some record? If Draco can't interfere, can' she offer advice to those who can? If it's meant to be there then that changes a lot," he says.

"It's likely here because some power-mongering maniac brought it here. Why, how, when, well, don't know as Arkold says. What we have to do is make sure no more maniacs get ahold of it ever again," Alptraum says tersely. "I don't want what's in it ever released again. It may not pose an immediate threat to me, but it would readily kill anyone else."

Tulani simply nods in agreement with Arkold and Alptraum's statements, adding in, "How ever we can destroy or get rid of it, we should try to do so."

"Maybe that was the intention though," Lilith argues. "It drew in the dragon, and it's drawing in the sorcerer. It could have been left here as a trap… irresistible poisoned bait."

Tulani says, "Poisoned bait tends to destroy the other fish in the water as well… "

"Providing the necromancer hasn't found one of Amena's heirs," Alptraum points out. "And Tulani makes another good point. It's existence is an extreme risk so long as it's readily accessible."

"It didn't come after us, and we were all there," Lilith notes. "It ate the dragon, and closed the lid itself."

"I was there," Alptraum counters.

Tulani says, "There ya go… " and sighs.

"Then let's review strategies here. Maybe we should get some maps, an' review our defense as well. So far it looks like we have: get the Sword and use it somehow, leave it here and defend it somehow, take it elsewhere for destruction, an' … the unpleasant idea of merging it with someone forevermore." Arkold nods to Tulani and Alptraum's comments both, belatedly, saying, "Ol' Vorg only fell to it after we defeated him. Prior to that it was strengthenin' him. It seems to consume those too weak to control it."

"Or those injured and close to death," Alptraum suggests.

The Sphynx suddenly raises her voice a bit unexpectedly, and says, "Arguing will get us nowhere! Even if you can't be directly involved Lilith, I think the rest are still going to attempt its destruction or removal somehow."

Alptraum sighs, exasperated and drags his claws through his hair. "I'm worried trying to use the Light of Nala would make things worse, to be honest, Arkold. And I'm not saying we absolutely have to destroy it. Just make it inaccessible. I don't want the risk of it getting loose," he says.

"If you kill the sorcerer, then there is no immediate threat, right?" Raven asks, in little more than a whisper. "Then you would have time to get more help from people who may know more about it."

"Heh," Arkold says with a chuckle, "jus' had a crazy idea. What if we let 'em try for it? The … test of the Great Necromancer. Prove your mightiness, get the old power. We pretend to be this great secret cult offerin' power to the mighty if they're good 'nough … an' it's all a trap. The test weakens 'em, an' if they're really evil ol' bastards, we let it gobble them up. Irony surprise."

Alptraum hmms and looks at Arkold. "Let the necromancer claim it and see what happens, you mean?" he asks.

Tulani notes Raven's whisper and tilts her head, smiling at the woman, "That's a very good point, thank you. We should be taking care of the more immediate threats."

"Claim it with penalties," Arkold suggests. "Traps, tests – wish I knew more abou' magic – an' such. By the time he gets there he might be too weak to resist it. We coul' use this Light of Nala to defend the "cult" itself, an' deal with those the test doesn't weaken. More of a long-term plan really. Brains over brute force, 'cause we sure lack the latter. As for the necromancer, well, I jus' think he has to go. It'll be a fight."

"Hmmmmmm," Alptraum mutters and looks at Lilith, then Arkold. "I wonder … Lilith may be right. Remember how Kaira noted that there hasn't been another host? What if … what if the last host, at defeat, altered it so that no one else could ever use it again? Maybe all it does do now is destroy those seeking its power."

Tulani says, "If that's so, it was certainly taking a long time to destroy Vorgulremik… "

"He was paranoid and very cautious," Lilith notes. "He had enough experience to keep him from rushing ahead, maybe?"

"Or it could have just been trying to trick him into finding its heir," Alptraum says and shrugs. He places his hand gently on Ravenia's shoulder and asks, "Do you remember what Vorg had you looking for… ?"

"I was going to libraries, and reading… but I don't remember what I read. I think I went into a trance, and he would do something to make me recite everything back," Ravenia says. "And I was to bring him information about someone too… I'm not sure whom anymore, but I do know they were dead. He was relieved."

Alptraum kneels down and touches Ravenia's forehead. "I wonder if in the dream realm we could recover that. Maybe Kaira would know how," he says.

"Too many "maybes" and "ifs" for my likin'. We need some real dirt on this thing if we're goin' to make a real plan. Vorg might 'ave notes, Ravenia you an' Lilith might 'ave 'eard somethin', an' there might be others who know. If we make a mistake 'ere it could cost us big time, an' not just others: Sylvania," Arkold says. He then perks up, "Do you remember what books an' which libraries? Can you, uh," he scratches his head a bit, "maybe use Vorg's soul like he used you? We 'ave it."

Tulani shudders softly thinking about using someone else's soul, but pushes the feeling away.

Ravenia wraps her arms around herself, and says, "No, I don't even want to remember him. The libraries were always in far away places, like Olympia, or else in some old private collection. Maybe even Babel, I don't know anymore."

Reaching over, the Sphynx rubs Ravenia's arm lightly in a friendly, comforting way, giving the woman a small smile.

Alptraum leans in and hugs Ravenia this time. "All right. I won't ask you to," he says gently. He looks away briefly and says, "I have a few contacts in Babel, heh. But, I don't think we have enough time to contact them."

The wolf gives Ravenia an apologetic look. "Sorry Raven." He frowns before going on. "We can't move it, we can't really get more dirt on it, an' we can't do much with the Sword without risk o' obliterating ourselves an' this country. I guess we jus' better think on the necromancer then. Maybe he'll 'ave notes we can, uh, borrow when he's gone," Arkold suggests.

"There must be someone who knows why the Shadow was left here though," Lilith says. "The Light of Nala was here, and I doubt the Czar would have lost track of that. The Justinians must know something."

"Well … we kind of know where that is. We have an enchanted map showing its location," Alptraum admits.

Lilith stares at Alptraum, and begins to say something, when her head suddenly swivels towards the entrance to the hall, and the main castle doors beyond it.

"We have a guest," Alptraum remarks and looks towards the door as well.

Tulani nods in confirmation of Alptraum's admission, wondering about whether they should try talking to Dunky or not before noticing the movement of Lilith's head, turning to look likewise.

Arkold's head immediately turns towards the door. He reaches down, draws his sword, then begins forward. "Guess we better give a reception then," he remarks.

Alptraum rubs his temples, then nods, "Yes. Tulani, why don't you stay with Lilith and Ravenia? Arkold and I will answer the door."

"Alright then, be safe… " the Sphynx replies, moving to a seat nearer Ravenia as the two men stand.

Alptraum stands and walks over to Arkold. "Shall we? Are you Jeeves, or am I?" he asks in a lame joke.

The heavy oak doors of the castle have been sealed securely, but opening them up isn't really necessary. The knocking is repeated, clearly coming from the smaller person-sized door inset within one of the larger ones. It has a sliding partition to allow a view of who might be outside… or to fire arrows through, as needed.

Arkold walks up to the smaller door and without putting his face where it can get an arrow-gram he slides open the partition. "Welcome to Creepy Castle, who, may I ask, is knockin' eh?"

Through the slit, a female voice says, "I've been sent by Lord Dack to negotiate the surrender of the castle." Even from an angle, Arkold can see the woman is human, and is sporting some nasty-looking bruises on her face and jaw.

"Hey, that voice is familiar," Alptraum quips. "How's your head?"

The woman steps back in alarm at hearing Alptraum's voice. "I'm… I'll survive," she finally says.

"The castle tells me it isn't interested in surrenderin'. In fact the castle an' I are close buddies now, an' we'd be sad to be parted," Arkold replies as he shoots Alptraum a curious look.

"Not if you continue serving Dack, you realize. I spared you. I doubt he's so kind," Alptraum replies flatly. "Arkold is right, of course. But, I'm curious … what is he offering? The usual, if you leave I'll let you live, otherwise I'll kill you, blah, blah, blah, sort of thing?"

"Safe passage to the main road, supplies, medical aid if you need it," the woman answers. "We know that most of the people have fled this place, and you can't possibly have enough to defend it. There's no reason for you to throw your lives away, and Lord Dack is thankful that you got rid of the dragon."

"No reason? Heh. I have plenty of reason, and it's in my blood, for starters," Alptraum remarks calmly and waves his hand, even though the woman wouldn't be able to see.

"Heh, we got rid of a dragon, an' now everythin' he has belongs to us. You … " the wolf's eyes dart to the bat, and he winks, " … don' think we're here by coincidence do you? An' old adventurer, a suspicious feline woman, an' a man with a touch o' death with him. Here. Maybe you ought to surrender to us, eh? Dack better think about what he's up against."

"He knows that he's up against a handful of people that are probably in very poor shape right now," the woman says, sounding sincere. "That you have very few supplies, if any, and at least one of you is probably a vampire, which means you'll have to leave the castle to hunt at some point."

Arkold gives Alptraum a 'it was worth a shot' shrug where the woman can't see it.

"Well, then we could just grab you now, couldn't we? You've got enough blood to feed a vampire for some time, you know," Alptraum remarks calmly.

"That would make it clear to my master that you do not wish to negotiate," the woman says, although she sounds at least a little bit worried by the suggestion. "But if you were the type to do that, you'd have killed me and my companion the other night, so I think your threat is empty."

"I may not be the type, but you've never met my companions, have you? And given I'm sitting here, dealing with the future of the country, if not the world, well. Perhaps I should throw aside my morals, eh?" Alptraum says. "Arkold, please grab her and break her arms."

Arkold shrugs again, this time for the bat's attempt. He gives the man a brief confused look before putting an ear to the door.

The wolf then simply shrugs and suddenly opens the door, scrambling to grab the woman. Just before he does, though, the bat notices the other man gives him a forlorn look. It's a good guess that hurting women isn't high on Arkold's list of things to do.

The woman outside stiffens, but doesn't retreat. "I've gone through three difficult births, so a little pain doesn't scare me," she says. The lines of her face place her age at anywhere from late thirties to mid-forties, perhaps.

"Actually, I have a better idea. Bring her," Alptraum calls after Arkold. "I think she should understand what she's helping."

"Sounds good to me. I officially capture you for your own good," says the wolf. Then he picks the woman up and carefully slings her over a shoulder as he walks back in.

The woman doesn't struggle at all, but teases, "How do you know I'm not booby-trapped?" as she dangles across the Jupani's shoulder.

"All women are booby trapped," the wolf replies without hesitation. He sets her down next to Alptraum.

Alptraum closes the door after the two and bars it. Then he turns to face the woman. "Do you understand what is at risk here?" he asks her flatly.

"Yes," the woman says. "The rule of corrupt nobility is at risk. War is at risk. The current, miserable state of this world is at risk."

Alptraum shakes his head. "So, you want to do what? Obliterate it? That's all that this castle can help do," he says. "There isn't power to save the world here, only destroy it."

"I don't think you understand the power here then, and how it can and cannot be used," the woman counters.

"The usual," Arkold agrees with a hint of sarcasm. "Heh, but there's more to it than that, eh? Bats has it, but it coul' jus' be as bad another way. You think livin' is bad? Try bein' undead with the same setup, no flesh, an' possibly no body. Forever." He nods to drive home his point. "Don' believe me? Met a few cursed Gallisans who'd readily agree."

"I understand quite well how Amena's power can be used. I've seen what it does," Alptraum replies and nods to Arkold. "All of us in here have."

The woman blinks at Alptraum, and actually laughs. "Use the Shadow directly, you mean? No mortal can do that!"

"I'm not mortal," Alptraum says flatly. "Not completely. I have witnessed how Amena's hosts used the power."

Arkold raises an eyebrow at that. "Your necromancer mus' tell you a lot. Come to think of it what did the man tell you he'd do with it? What promises has 'e made." the wolf inquires.

"The last I checked, the bloodline of Amena was Aeztepan," the woman says, looking Alptraum up and down. "I don't see any spots on you, Eeee." Turning to Arkold, she says, "Raise the dead, of course. In the one place where the power to do so is strongest, where true resurrection is possible."

"I'm not Aeztepan," Alptraum remarks and laughs. "I am the Barsunala. I'm from Amena's 'enemy' bloodline. And no, it cannot restore the dead to life. All it can ultimately do is destroy all life."

"Ah, he promised you your family back did 'e," the wolf asks. He watches the woman's eyes carefully.

The woman winces at Arkold's comment. "I have lost all of my sons in pointless combat against Titania," she admits. "But I was not promised their return. Only that it would all stop when the nations of Sinai are united under one rule and one god."

"Wasn't expectin' him to want to be a god … or maybe help one out." The wolf admits. He rubs the back of his neck a little, frowns, then offers, "I'm sorry ma'am."

"Wouldn't work. The idea seems nice, but … you can't keep peace by force," Alptraum says and sighs. "Especially not with what this castle contains. It's a mockery of life and ultimately just destroys it. In the end, the world would become a barren waste, a complete forbidden zone."

"As I said, Lord Dack has no intention of controlling or releasing the Shadow," the woman says, giving Arkold a what should you be sorry for? expression. "It will remain undisturbed."

"Then he doesn't need this castle," Alptraum remarks and shrugs. "What does he want it for?"

"I'm confused here. He wants the castle to surrender so he can … uh … leave it alone? He could save 'imself some effort an' just leave it alone immediately," Arkold asks.

The woman sighs. "Look, the presence of the Shadow creates certain conditions. This is it's heart. With the Sarcophagus of Necropolis as his altar, Lord Dack can resurrect Dagh within his own body… as a direct descendant of the god!"

"That's insane. Dagh is not a God that needs to be walking this world," Alptraum says, looking at the woman oddly.

"Uh, Dagh?" Arkold glances at Alptraum for help. "I like the word an' all, comes in handy now an' then for certain situations, but I ain't goin' to worship it."

"Dagh, the dark Lord of the underworld. It's not considered a curse for nothing. It's a power of evil, Arkold," Alptraum explains. He then sighs and shrugs, "I know too much mythos."

"His name is a curse now, but it was not always so! History is written by the winners, and they always cast themselves as the righteous ones fighting an evil foe," the woman challenges.

"Dag- damn, now I'll never be able to use that curse again without lookin' over my shoulder, an' now's a great time for one too." The wolf twitches. "Help me out here Bats, I need a new curse. What do they use in Babel? An' jus' how many evil gods, overlords, undead, or dragons are we goin' to get in this castle anyway?"

"I can understand your anger … but grasping at something that could destroy the world isn't the answer," Alptraum replies with a sigh. "Look, Miss? Hmm, can you tell us your name, please?"

"I go by Meg now," the woman says. "And as the Barsunala, you should know better, young man. Would your mother destroy the world, being the Goddess of Death?"

"This is goin' right over my head. I think I reached my two-oblivion monstrosity limit," the wolf admits. "Why don't we take Miss Meg to the table an' sort this out. I'm goin' to check aroun' to make sure this isn't jus' a distraction."

"She watches over those who leave this world. And, to quote her, actually, 'All things come to me in the end.' She has no need to accelerate it. But, I make no illusions of myself being a child of a positive force. I know I carry some evil in me, Meg," Alptraum replies, then looks to Arkold and nods. "Follow me, Meg."

The woman follows along, and says, "You didn't even check to see if I'm armed."

"Which reminds me. Pardon," the wolf says. He steps back and begins to run a careful weapon search, and he especially focuses on the neck area in an apparent search for amulets.

Alptraum simply shrugs. He pauses and watches Arkold.

The woman has a long dagger in a sheath – the same one Alptraum saw the night he and Tulani entered the sorcerer's lair. Aside from her simple tunic, pants and cloak, she doesn't carry anything else, unless it's hidden in her boots.

Arkold takes the dagger and offers it to Alptraum. "Think it'll create any blood monsters? You've met her, eh? Think she's clean?"

Alptraum holds the dagger up between two fingers and looks at it closely.

The handle is a typical Chronotopian design, engraved with geometric precision and symmetry. Instead of a metal blade, however, it has one of hardened chitin.

While Alptraum studies the dagger Arkold tells the woman, "We may not be able to convince you, eh? Bu' that doesn't we can let what you want happen, happen. At the very least you ought to know there aren't any free rides, an' this Dagh guy sounds like a reckless hope at best. The last kind most people ever 'ave."

Alptraum says, "No, it won't create any blood monsters." The bat then offers it back to Meg. "You were right on what I would, or wouldn't do. I can't even pretend to be evil very long," he says and shrugs weakly.

Meg sheathes the blade, and nods. "Thank you for returning it. The surrounding woods are dangerous, what with all the wandering soldiers let loose from the dragon's thrall."

"My children are dead, Mr. Jupani," Meg tells Arkold. "Without Lord Dack, I would have no hope for the future at all."

"After having to listen to the dead, and see their lives and experiences through their eyes … it changes your perspective on a lot of things. I don't kill unless there's no other choice. I know far too well the connections and pain it causes," Alptraum says and turns away to head towards the main room. He pauses, then adds, "Everyone is someone's child. Everyone has someone who will mourn."

Arkold snorts. "Hope for the future is sellin' other people's children out, I see." He shrugs, briefly. "I guess I understan' it though. Maybe now you'll be the destroyer, eh? C'mon." The wolf tenses though, as if fully expecting to get slapped over that comment.

"A sentiment that few military leaders seem to share, Barsunala," Meg says. To Arkold she comments, "I see it more as curing a wasting disease, sir."

Alptraum pauses and looks back. "Dack doesn't either, you know. He's killed plenty. Some innocents, some children. I was there when his minions killed a bunch of people two years ago," he says.

"Hell he animates people's blood into homicidal killin' machines. That's a great start to world peace," Arkold says as he walks.

"I'm not here to apologize for his actions, or those of his followers," Meg says. "Can you claim to never have done similar, either for yourself or a higher cause or because someone in authority ordered you to?"

Alptraum pauses, then turns and says. "I have destroyed some of Dack's monsters. I have fought a couple soldiers in Babel. I have stopped some undead. But I have not slaughtered innocents. No. What I've gotten to do is hold a friend who wept for a child who was slain in a trap … when all she thought she was doing was helping her people. I've gotten to live, knowing that my existence has caused a great deal of trauma to the world … and was partially responsible for the death of tens of thousands. That's why I'm out here now. I'm out here looking for ways to unite people, to try and build Sylvania into a refuge to many, but not through force or more destruction." The Eeee shrugs, finishing with, "I can't save the world; but I can try and have my existence make the world a better place. I can try and lessen the pain."

"I guess we won't convince you," Arkold says as he takes a seat. "Some are like that, eh? Can't change everyone's minds, or most, don' I know it. Guess I ought to make it clear then: it ain't goin' to happen. My only reasonin' is that everythin' tells me it's a bad idea. Same as you an' your choice. Which leaves us with a dilemma."

Meg looks around the table, taking in the women, the pitiful breakfast, and the weary expressions. "I don't see the dilemma," she says. "You can accept our offer, and leave here healthy, protected and well supplied, or you can stay. In which case, we will simply wait until you've run out of supplies and have to leave the castle anyway."

The Sphynx sitting at the table is turned to watch the approach of the three. As they got closer she looks up at Meg and says neutrally, "This must be our visitor from the gate… " She recognized the woman as did Alptraum, by listening to her speak.

"There is another option. Dack and I face each other, child of a God versus child of a God. The others get medical supplies and leave to continue on their journey. Winner takes the shadow," Alptraum offers quietly.

"I don't see how that is likely," Meg says. "Why should Lord Dack take such a risk when patience will win out?"

"Because it will end the stalemate, and he won't have to surround himself with guards from here on out in case one of us comes to kill him in his sleep," Alptraum says.

"And he knows I can touch him in non-physical ways," Alptraum adds.

"Then why haven't you done so already, if you are certain you are in the right?" Meg asks.

"Because, quite frankly, I fear falling into darkness," Alptraum remarks flatly. "I don't want to become like Dack or Vorgulremik. Having the ability does not mean I like or want to use it."

"Come to think of it why is Dack even waitin'? He's hardly been patient before. His creatures are berserks. He's afraid of somethin', an' hopin' we'll back down first. If we're so weak why not crush us like the others," Arkold asks.

Tulani sighs at the apparent negotiations going on, and not having much of her own to add watches the human woman. Eventually she chimes in with, "I don't believe we have officially met. I am Tulani, and you are? And my question would be the same as Arkold's." She gestures to the wolf.

"Because you have served him, in your own ways," Meg replies to Arkold and Tulani. Looking at Alptraum, she asks, "And can you be certain the horrible acts you've seen weren't done in self-defense, to throw off a pursuer that was more than mortal?" Smiling to Tulani, she says, "I'm Meg. It's good to see that you survived your battle, Tulani."

"Ravenia, would you mind fetching a bit of medicine for our guests bruises, please?" Alptraum asks the elf.

"Because I remember plainly what his followers said. They were not acts of self-defense," Alptraum replies to Meg.

Ravenia stands up shakily. "When did she… ah… I'll get the alcohol," she says, and heads back towards the living quarters.

"Uh huh. Well," the wolf stands up again, "I'm goin' to check the defenses. Bats, good luck, an' I'll be back soon."

Still a bit worried about Raven, Tulani stands as well. "It's nice to know you have fared well, if you'll excuse me now," she says to Meg, and follows the dark woman out of the room.

"And to be frank, knifing a Savanite after Dack used her to steal is hardly the act of a good man," Alptraum remarks. "I had to save her."

Arkold gives the others one last looking-over before he heads off to make a circuit and check what few defenses they've arranged. He keeps his sword out, too, apparently not feeling he can be too careful with an army outside the door.

"As a member of the Draco family, I can't allow Dack access to the Shadow," Lilith says, finally speaking up. "I overheard everything, of course," she notes, tapping her ears. "It would definitely upset the magical balance of Sylvania."

"I suppose keeping the 'balance' is fine if you're the ones reaping the benefits of it, like Draco County does," Meg replies, a bit coldly. Lilith bites off whatever she was about to say, and gets up. "Tulani needs some new clothes, Alptraum," she remarks. "I'll go see what can be pulled together."

Alptraum nods to Lilith and says, "Thank you. I'll talk to you later, all right?"

As the Eeee woman walks off, Meg turns to Alptraum, and asks, "So, your answer is that you will stay here and defend the castle, even if it means starving to death?"

Alptraum draws a breath, then turns his head to look at Meg. He locks his eyes on hers and says with quiet determination, "Some things are worth dying for. I made a mistake once involving a madman out to 'save the world'. I walked away. I won't do it again. A line has to be drawn. No more falling back. No more surrendering."

"And am I your prisoner now?" Meg asks. "Or… your dinner, even?"

"No. I'll escort you out, if you're ready to go," Alptraum replies quietly and shrugs his wings. "Though, you might want to wait for Ravenia to return. I wanted her to at least treat the injuries I inflicted. But, your choice."

Elsewhere in the keep, Arkold unbolts the door at the base of the tower, so that he can go up to the solar and have a good look around.

Meg sits down to wait, then. "Thank you."

From high above the castle Arkold watches the man outside the gates and wonders how many horrors stand behind him in the shadows waiting for the day they can make their new god.

"One more thing … my name is Alptraum Reisender. You should least know the name of whom you choose as your opponent," Alptraum says quietly and sits down in one of the chairs. "I don't think Ravenia will be much longer."