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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cafu" data-source="post: 6364483" data-attributes="member: 6692807">We all sat down and just stared; I thought about this new development; as I mentioned, there were several aspects to it which made me very uneasy; but I was forced to admit that both Longhelim, Menash and Felix also had very strong points; there had been rumours about Danava’s wavering loyalty to Ragesia even before we arrived. So much so, the Menash had actually predicted that this might happen; I thought it unlikely but I had been proved wrong; yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was too easy; and the Torch was a very powerful motivator; anyone who delivered it to Leska…..well they stand in very high in the favour of the Empress. Then, I had another thought about something else: John’s predicament; suddenly, I had a solution; I was about to speak but Longhelim beat me to it. “So, has anyone had any further thoughts?” This was my opportunity: “Yes, but not about our predicament; I think I have a solution to John’s condition though. There is a spell I have; it’s very powerful; it transforms objects; for example, see that chair over there? I can change that into a table; but, not only does it change objects, it also transforms  substance; it’s not often used for that purpose but I cannot see why it wouldn’t work on stone.” The paladin looked at me and then smiled as he said: “That’s very good to know and also helps us; I’ve made a decision; I realise that it’s dangerous and very likely will lead to conflict and probably betrayal, but we have to go and meet Danava; if there is any chance at all that he wants to discuss terms, then we have to at least listen; the rewards of peace are too large to ignore. We’ll take his son as Menash suggested but I’m not sure where else we can get backup.” I had also thought about this problem: “I don’t like this and you won’t like it either but the only ones who may be able to provide us with backup are the elves.” “No!” That was from Drudge. Longhelim spoke after a moment: “Drudge, sorry but Faden is right; it hadn’t occurred to me but we have entered into an alliance with the elves and if we are talking terms with the Ragesians, we have to let them know what is going on; hopefully it will also mean that they will go with us and provide backup.” The rangers insisted: “I really don’t like that idea.” I replied to that: “I really don’t like the idea of going at all but that decision has already been made; I will be surprised if Danava actually turns up; and if he does, I bet Kolvus will not be far behind. I agree with you on this Drudge: Going there is a really bad idea and inviting the elves is a really bad idea; it’s just that the consequences of not doing so may be even worse. What about Vigilance?” Longhelim turned to the venerable orc: “Vigilance, you have heard our quandary; we would ask you to go one of the safe houses in the 11[SUP]th[/SUP] district. As soon as we finish, we will come and collect you. If we don’t return, no doubt you will have heard about it by the next day.” Then he turned to us: “Gentlemen, if we are going to do this, we will need your magic; I know you don’t like doing this but you had better learn your spells again. In the meantime, we’ll send a messenger to the elves and let them know that we want to meet.” A little grumpily, I complied with Longhelim’s request; I was convinced that it was a trap yet it was difficult to argue against the possibility of a peace treaty, no matter how remote. I reflected that that, of course, that was the essence of a good trap: the bait had to be pitched just right. Force learning my spells was as unpleasant as ever; the splitting headache, the exhaustion, the lethargy and sluggishness, they were all there as usual. Looking at Felix’s red-rimmed eyes and drawn countenance, I knew I looked little better; but, I had managed to learn my magic. The first thing I cast was that powerful transformation spell on John. The rogue turned into his old self and we spent the next few moments telling him all that happened; when he found out about the meeting with Danava, his immediate reaction was that it was a trap, as we all said; when the whole situation and background was explained to him, he was just as reluctant as the rest of us to go to the talks but ultimately, he agreed that we had to go. Then he said: “Well, if you force learned your spells, I should as well; do I have a little time?” Longhelim replied: “While Felix and Faden were busy, I sent a messenger to the elves; there was a reply that we should meet them here at the Gate in a little time; while you are learning your spells, we’re going to see their messenger, just to let them know what we plan.” So, while John was studying, we cast a few spells with a long duration and then departed to meet the elves. At the appointed place, we found the Princess Shalosha: “Greetings Princess; how goes your campaign?” asked Longhelim. She didn’t smile and was actually quite brusque: “You requested this meeting; please continue.” All business again, Longhelim explained the latest developments to her. She nodded and said: “I will explain all this to my father; we will comply with your request and someone will greet you at the Gate to the Ninth District just before the appointed time.” After that, she nodded and walked off. I stared after her: “What’s bitten her?” Victor dismissed the Princess: “I doubt it’s us; something must have happened somewhere else; anyway, it’s not important; what is important is that we have elven backup; we’d better get back to John.” So we returned to the rogue who had just finished learning his spells. He looked at us and raised his eyebrows in a silent question: “It’s set,” answered Longhelim, “and we should be getting ready.” So, a few more spells were cast; these were of a slightly shorter duration and once that was finished, we set out to the Gate. As we approached, we saw a group of men coming towards us; cautiously, we called out but were relieved to see that it was Rantle at the head of a large group of Resistance fighters. As he saw us, he stopped and asked: “What are you doing here?” So we explained the situation to him quite quickly and he nodded: “Ah, that explains why the Ragesians seemed to be pulling out. Look, if you can pull this off…….I and my men will be eternally grateful.” Then he shook his head: “As you said, though, it’s certain to be a trap; but I do have Kothar Danava with me; do you want him to go with you?” Longhelim nodded and the younger Danava was called over; again the situation was explained; he seemed reluctant to accompany us initially but he did agree that if there was any chance that terms could be agreed and that hostilities would cease, the possibility had to be explored. So finally he agreed. It took a certain amount of time to get to the Gate where four figures waited for us. The two astral devas, King Shaaladel himself as well as a stunning, dark haired elf, with perfect features and dark eyes; as well as a dress that plunged deeply in the front. She walked towards us, inhumanly graceful and confident, introducing herself: “I am Aurana Kirondaal, advisor to His Majesty. It is good to meet you personally. I must say, I am quite surprised that the Ragesians are willing to talk terms so rapidly.” With that, she turned around and walked back to Shaaladel; I stared after her and then turned to the others: “We’d best be very careful of her; she must be very powerful; did you see, she had almost no jewellery or magical equipment that I could see; that speaks of huge confidence. That was also the person to whom Eritae the Ghaele swore personal allegiance.” Felix just grunted, shook his head and then said: “Well, we’d better cast our last few spells before we venture any further.” As we began to cast our last set of spells, those that were only effective for a short period, we all heard Shaaladel’s voice: “Well, this is all disappointing but not surprising; I suppose the humans did better than I would have believed but it is hardly unexpected that Danava wants to talk terms as soon as we arrived.” Longhelim immediately looked at all of us and warned us with his eyes: “Not a word” was what I understood. Thankfully, all of us, including the younger Danava, ignored that last comment. We finished casting our last spells; one of these was cast by Felix; it was a very useful spells that allowed him to see anyone or anything that was trying to hide behind magical illusions or transformations and he immediately glanced at our elven companions but he gave slight negative shake of his head. Then we entered into the Ninth District just before midnight. As we walked on the road, we began to discern a series of bright dots in the distance which we quickly recognized as torches in the darkness; there were seven of them. A little time later, the people holding these torches became visible; General Danava was there, surrounded by six hard bitten, veteran warriors, a mixture of men but with a large amount of orc blood. As we met, the elves faded discreetly into the background, letting us take the lead. Danava’s face changed when he saw his son. Obviously, he wasn’t expecting his presence and he seemed to be very glad to see him. He was the first to speak; his voice was deep and trained. Looking at all of us he said: “I didn’t think you’d come; that you’d be afraid this was a trap. The fact that you have speaks volumes about you and your characters; not many would have. This kind of courage is amongst the greatest of things that I admire about the people of Gate Pass. We should never have done this….the siege that is; it was misguided from the beginning. Now that you have the Torch, this is just folly. You can keep bringing more and more men to face me from the South, the East, everywhere. I may win against your first army, even your second but sooner or later, you will grind me down and there is little I can do about it; and in the meantime, more and more of my men die. You have to know this though; while Kolvus is here, I am under a powerful magical compulsion which prevents me from withdrawing or surrendering; but if Kolvus were to…….” As if on cue, another three more figures came around the corner from some ruined buildings. The first was a tall, charismatic human wearing a cloak which almost hid his large bow; he was flanked on one side by a stocky, dark haired young man and by a tall, long legged blonde woman on the other. “No,” hissed Felix. “The one in the middle is a devil, an erinyes; the other two are like something from a nightmare. I’ve never seen anything like them!” That set my alarm bells ringing; the term nightmarish was used several times to describe one set of creatures which were already here in Gate Pass; and devils served Leska. I knew it was trap!</blockquote>

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