The axe has fallen and the players of this wicked little farse are dropping. It has been many days since last I wrote, and in the silence my worst fears have come to realization. We traveled to the Keep of Fenrasha disguised as merchants for Lord Weyden, our intent was to discern the Shiek's intentions. We were received as honored guests to his extravagant manor where an elaborate feast was thrown. It seems that the Shiek was prone to excessiveness most likely a reactionary desire derived from living in such a barren and otherwise inhospitable landscape as the Alk'Haran desert. This hospitality quickly turned sour as the Shiek revealed that he was aware of our identities and threw us into his dungeon.
The Shiek's dungeon was as terrible a place as I have ever seen in my life. A stone fortress miles from the shiek's palace in the middle of the desert, it's keepers were the worst lot of beings that I have ever encountered in my life, reveling in pain and torture, they used a half ogre to keep the prisoners in order while they no doubt tortured them in the excessive torture chambers within the dark dungeon. While the prison door barred all exit, and even the jailers had to wait to be released from the prison, it was not the jail that kept the prisoners in, but the foulest creature that I have ever seen. As we made our escape from the jail, aided by a poor soul named Hassani we were stopped dead in our tracks by the most hideous and beautiful creature I have ever seen, part lion, part woman and part scorpion, it used it's otherworldly powers to seduce prisoners and make them return, even if they escaped. We battled the creature and barely defeated it if it had not been for the magical powers of Idwel. On that subject, Idwel's power has been growing greater with every day that passes which greatly disturbs me, because I am unable to discern the boy's loyalties or motives. I only hope that when the time comes for him to reveal his true self, he is aligned with us.
Once we escaped the dungeon, we lead an assault on the shiek's keep. He had sent his forces elsewhere for reasons not yet deciphered by myself or my companions. What ensued was a bloody battle between my companions and the guards of Fenrasha's keep. It was a long and violent affair where all of our talents were required to obtain victory. At last, as the final guard lay dying in a swarming flock of pigeons that had been released as messengers, we battled Fenrasha. The man was twisted by some demonic and sorcerous power and bent all of his malice toward us in an awesome display of magical prowess, he had even enslaved and tainted a djini bound to his service, an act of incredible will, no doubt. It was all we could do to defeat him, and once victory was in our grasp we were forced to flee his chambers from a veritable army of guards looting what little valuables we found in the process. Awaiting us down a long escape passage was a powerful stallion on which we slung the unconscious body of Geldezar who had fallen in the battle; that being done, we fled with all of our will toward freedom.
We ran for hours, and didn't stop until deep into the night. It was then, when we had finally stopped running that we were able to comprehend the significance of the events which had just occurred. The doves were all carrying messages alerting Alk'Hara of an assasination attempt upon Fenrasha by the Ivors, which called Alk'Hara to unite against the Ivors in war. We had just enabled Fenrasha's ultimate goal, war. It is difficult to comprehend the scope of effect such a small group of people can have upon the realm but never the less we find our selves, caught up in the affairs of kings, for better, or worse. I left our brother's sword in the desert. Please do not perceive the act as thoughtless, but I must leave him behind me and forge my way with my own weapon. The shiek had a magical blade strangely in his possession, it is very reminiscent of a sailor's dueling blade, and imbued with magic. It's name is, as is indicated upon it's case, Salt Blade and the blade looks thusly, as though corroded by salt. An elegant weapon despite the corrosion, I have taken it as my own, and hope that I may do our ancestors and dear brothers memories justice with it in my hands.
I love you with all of my heart, and look to Presekka to guide our paths, I hope we meet again dear sister.
--Arren
ps- We head now for the Free Isles, to escape assassins. I will look for the Couatl, for it often sails near the isles this time of year.
Kazzit let his wings carry him upon the briny air. He had been tracking the ship for weeks now, and finally it came into view. The flock near Bellchester had seen the Couatl at sea a week ago, passing the great nesting rock. Now he was almost there. The master would be proud and speek his name pleasingly. He must find the woman who smelled of ink on the winged serpent's ship. He circled the ship once, darkness was falling, perhaps the men would feed him, he liked their rotten apples, the taste made him happy. There she was, asleep behind the glass window beneath the man. Such golden hair the man above the window had. If only he could add it to his roost. Kazzit dived for the small opening in the window, feeling the ocean air brush through his feathers like cool soothing mist the lady would be happy, Kazzit would not scare her this time. Like lightning, hands gripped Kazzit. Strong crushing hands, around his neck. Golden hair shined in the moonlight as his head was turned backwards, too fast. This man was quicker and meaner than a city cat, much deadlier. KRRRAK! No more light.
