When they come close several trolls theateningly rear up out of the snow but on Red's urging, step aside allowing them to reach Iner and weigh up the situation. Red has already explained the gist of it to Ragnek but what they find is much worse than both imagined.

A Troll party
The trolls, jubilant after their attack on Ice Gard have stopped dead in their tracks about half a mile from the Citadel's main tunnel entrance. Overjoyed, the entire horde is in the throes of wild celebration, kicking human heads around the snow, drinking barrels of minter and starting punch-ups. With all sense of purpose gone and the entire troll army overwhelmed by blood lust, poised ready to turn on the rescued human slaves at any moment, Ragnek knows something has to be done and done quick. In the midst of it all lies an unconscious Iner and an anxious Targus watching over him.

In minutes Ragnek heals the boy who immediately consults with the troll chief Samahan. But instead of stopping the trolls and calling them to order, Iner stands back and lets his troll friend, Gichek of the Tarma, assert authority. Gichek singles out one of the most boisterous and brutal minded trolls causing all the trouble. Called Milok, the troll stands head and shoulders over Gichek's grizzled and older body. What everyone fails to realize though is just how "hard" Gichek is. Gichek bites and tears Milok's head from his shoulders, then parades through the rebel trolls commanding that they listen to him.

Time running out.
It has now been 2 hours and 45 minutes since the attack on Ice Gard and the trolls still haven't moved. Checking on Havoc's mobilisation of the Ice Gard army via his scrying orb, Ragnek grows concerned. "We have to move, now!" he says. But the problem still remains - what to do with the 455 humans they have rescued. It is mid-winter and the humans only have rags to protect them from the cold.

Back at the Tower of Day, Ragnek experiments further with his magical bridge, attempting to land it as close to Citadel Ice Gard as possible, to enable the human refugees to escape.
"They'll not make it far in their condition," Red states. "I know," Ragnek replies, working his water-filled runes and calculating coordinates.

After a dozen attempts Ragnek and Red narrow the bridge's distance down to 6.5 miles away from Ice Gard. By this time Red is extremely anxious to return (still unaware of Ragnek's Orb and his power to see Havoc).

The trolls move.
When they arrive back Tyrant also approaches them extremely concerned. "What the fuck's going on?" he booms. "Why aren't we moving?"
Then Iner drops a bombshell. "The trolls are ready to move - some have already started. But remember, my trolls would have to move as slowly as your humans. Havoc would surely catch us. If you can't get these humans out with your magic I think the safest place for them is back in the citadel. Let them get recaptured."
Then Kryss, the normally silent and thoughtful party member speaks. "There is another option. We move the humans to the secret tunnels and hide them in there until this all blows over. Hopefully Havoc will follow the trolls far enough away for us to make a break for your bridge."

Ragnek agrees to go with Kryss' suggestion, surprized when Iner and Targus say will come along. Iner says a brief goodbye to his troll friends. "Remember, scatter. I will call to you when it is time."
Gichek kneels before the young man and places his gnarled hand on Iner's slim shoulder. "You are Gichek's friend," the troll states, then turns, gathers the other trolls about him and bounds into the blizzard.

Tyrant then organizes the humans and marches them back to the secret tunnels. A few trolls remain behind long enough to obscure the human's tracks but as Kryss so rightly points out, "hiding the tracks will not stop Ice Gard's trolls from smelling this many humans. It's likely we'll still be discovered."

Ischandi's return?
Ragnek and Red attempt to dreamshift back to the Tower of Day but are intercepted en route across the spiritual plane by a third party. They both awake near a small, snow covered log cabin. As they approach, the door creaks open and to Ragnek's horror he sees his "Father", Ischandi the Wise, standing in the doorway.
"Come in, come in," Ischandi says, watching as Ragnek gets comfortable and Red stands.
The Wizards talk - But as Ragnek begins to explain how things are going in the north, mentioning the Anu and Keos, Red stops him and asks Ischandi some personal questions. Staring at Red for several long moments, Ischandi finally comes clean. "I am not who I appear to be. I am sorry. I meant no harm by it." Then somehow sensing Ragnek ready to fling a lightning bolt, the imposter hastily says "Please don't do that. I only want to talk."
Without changing appearance, the imposter reveals himself to be a herself called Palamah - a Witch of Arun. "I believe in the forces of Destiny and Fate," she says. "I was intrigued and wanted to know more, that is all." Then turning to Red, the main focus of her attention, Palamah says the young warrioress has "a beautiful spirit," and stares in wonder.

Red is not amused. Palamah then says "I must go, I will be discovered. Perhaps another time. Beware my sister though, the Witch Madisra. She is not like me." The dream cabin then fades around them and as the Midnight Sun closes in, Ragnek catches a glimpse of a silver haired woman standing over great ice basin of clear water before waking up outside his Tower.

Ragnek and Red return to the Tower of Day. Red then voices her concern over what transpired. "If they can affect us like that we're in trouble. How did she even know about us anyway?"
"I can protect our dreams with my Rite of Enkil. I actually liked her but I doubt the other witches will be the same." Exchanging his Crystal of silence for the Crystal of Veil (an illusion spell), Ragnek and Red return to the tunnels. As soon as he arrives back, Ragnek casts the illusion and creates a magical wall of rock to obscure the tunnel entrance.

Waiting, listening and watching.
Using his orb to monitor events beyond the tunnels, Ragnek scries the following ;-
He sees Gortte nestled up amongst some rocks. He then sees Lord Bastil in bed, sleeping as if nothing has happened.
He sees Mace, battered and bruised lying a dark cell somewhere. Red says "He's a stubborn little shit. I doub't he's said anything to them about us." She then laughs at what she has just said, realizing who Mace looks like and what she's just called him. That never would have happened with North.
Ragnek then sees Waylind standing in the middle of a rank of Ice Gard's soldiers, marching back and forth.
As for Havoc, the General has marched out of Ice Gard and discovered the troll's have fled. Consulting with his two troll confidantes (the immense looming Fey'de'ke that stand behind him), Hurin dispatches some trolls to try and find the humans. He's not stupid. The trolls are obviously not carrying the humans and there's very little sign that they have been eaten. So where are they?

When he tells his companions what is happening, Red says "that Bastil is one hilt short of a blade. He's out there, way out there!"
Targus approaches Ragnek when the Wizard has a spare moment. "I just wanted to say how proud I was out there today. Your companions are like the heroes of old. I've never seen anything like them. If I died later today, I'd die content knowing that I'd fought alongside people like that."
Ragnek tries to comfort the one armed veteran by saying "No one's going to die. I'll destroy the whole citadel first."

Two hours later. 2am.
Red, (who can see through Ragnek's illusion due to immense magic resistance) alerts everyone that they have been discovered. Trolls have tracked the humans to the cliff face and then called Havoc and his troops to the area. As Ragnek strains to hear, one of Havoc's majors shouts out an ultimatum. "We know you're in there, somewhere. Come out in the name of Lord Bastil or when we capture you, you will all be beaten."
After discussing the options with everyone, Ragnek and Red eventually decide on a course of action. Red will step out of the tunnel, alone and unarmed. She will approach Havoc and demand he leaves, pretending that she is a witch and capable of obliterating / cursing his troops.

Using his orb again (as secretly as he can but now drawing suspicion from Red and Iner), Ragnek learns more about Havoc's plans. The Pale man General has ordered prisoners to be brought from the citadel and executed in front of the cliff face, just on the off chance that someone inside the cliff can see or hear the screams. Also, realising magic is involved (from reports of a golden skinned man and another warrior wielding a lethal spear to concealed entrances in the cliff) Havoc sends troops to fetch Lucille, Priestess of the Temple of Arun.

Havoc also calls Salutay the Huntsman (a lethal pale man) to his side, telling the killer to take up position high among the rocks and await his signal. If Havoc points his blade at someone he wants Salutay to shoot that being dead with his magical slaying arrow. All this, Ragnek relates to Red and the others.

Ragnek and his party wait again, watching Havoc's troops retreat slightly. Then Ragnek (using his orb) sees Lucille arrive on the scene. It is obvious she has little patience for Havoc and that Havoc despises her and her kind. The two bitch at one another and eventually settle on a coarse of action. "Until we find out who this red haired witch really is I suggest you do as she says. In the meantime I will commune with my mistress and see what she thinks."
Havoc curses Lucille as she walks away but does order his men back. However, ever the General he keeps scouts in the area and 100 men on standby, ready to attack anyone who leaves the tunnel. He also keeps Salutay in position - just in case.

Acting quickly, Ragnek and Red return to the tower and attempt to narrow the distance between Ice Gard and the magical bridge. On the first attempt, Ragnek closes the distance to 7000 feet, a distance that Red and Ragnek are willing to settle with.

"We're back. It's done," Ragnek states with a grin, arriving back among his friends in the narrow, cramped tunnels. Briefly checking on Havoc and his other Major's, Krystalaxe and Horntugger Ragnek deduces the Palemen are all waiting for news from Lucille. "We should move now," says Ragnek, "whilst Havoc is still in two minds whether to attack us or not."
Tyrant and Kryss move among the human slaves telling them to remain calm. "If anything happens out there," Kryss says, "I want you all to throw yourselves to the ground. Anyone who is standing will be a target."
Tyrant gives a rousing speech. "Listen up. We've been through a lot but there's one last stretch to cover. We've got to leave here and head to a place of safety. I know some of you have been heroes tonight but now I want you to listen carefully. The only one's fighting from now on are me and my companions. We've been in scrapes like this before. We know what we're doing. The best thing any of you can do is look to each other. Don't let go or lose sight of those around you. If we all stick together we'll come through this."
Whilst all this is going on Ragnek mutters to himself. "If one of those trolls comes anywhere near me I'll blow its head off with a lightning bolt and stick it on the end of Havoc's bed."

Running for it.
With Tyrant at the front, Red and Ragnek in the middle, Kryss behind and Targus and Iner on the flanks, the 455 human refugees and slaves move out of their hiding place and begin journeying around Ice Gard's plateau. They spot guards through the snow but hear no cry of alarm.

Gort remains hidden nearby watching Havoc's troops move back and forth. He overhears a conversation between two guards, revealing what transpired between Havoc and Red. As soon as he hears this, he begins making his way as stealthily as possible to the tunnels. But when he gets there, everyone has already left.

The group make it to Ice Gard's northern face without incident. However five minutes out from the shelter of the plateau (as the group heads into the open snow) Tyrant spots shapes moving in mist and coming closer.
"Halt!" one of Ice Gard's guards shouts. Moments later Kryss finds himself confronted by a half dozen soldiers. He shouts ahead to Ragnek and Red, "Fighting here!" and begins the slaughter.
Tyrant orders everyone to drop down and take cover before ploughing out to meet another group of soldiers. In moments he cripples and fells four of them with his twin axes as Ragnek prepares to unleash his magic.
The Wizard spies someone giving orders, singles the man out and hurls a blinding bolt of lightning which strikes the man killing him instantly.
Iner slays a soldier but receives a vicious slash to his chest, sending him unconscious. Targus fells two soldiers and Red drops another six (remaining by Ragnek's side the whole time).
After only 30 seconds Ragnek suddenly sees 4 immense shapes looming ahead of him. Fearing it is Havoc's War trolls he prepares another bolt of lightning but is surprized when Ice Gard's fleeing troops, in fear of Ragnek's magic, are plucked off their feet by the shapes and slain.
When one of the shapes reveals itself to be Ragnek's friend, Vader the Yailin Shukran the Wizard cries out in rapture. Vader and his 3 trolls companions proceed to decimate any remaining soldiers. (In total 36 soldiers are injured or killed).

Later, Vader approaches Ragnek and explains how Gichek gave him 3 trolls. "I thought you might need help," Vader says.

10 minutes later everyone arrives at Ragnek's invisible bridge. Having led them there unerringly, Ragnek now turns and raises his arms. "People of Ice Gard, what you are about to see ahead of you is a stairway that will you to sanctuary. It will lead you to a faraway place where it will be warmer, you will be fed, sheltered and safe."

Ragnek then begins leading the frightened slaves onto his magical bridge with Red and Kryss escorting them across and into his tower.

Ragnek suddenly realizes that with each person he leads onto the bridge, he is slightly drained of spiritual energy. After a quick calculation and he realizes he isn't strong enough to bring all 454 (one person has died) slaves as well as his companions onto the bridge and safety. He begins trying to explore other possibilities.

First he travels into his tower and then up onto the dream world to visit Storm Crow. Crow and Ragnek touch for the first time and experience a strange "sharing" of experiences. They also manage to share POW which gives Ragnek a temporary boost of strength.

However by the time he wakes up and goes back down the bridge, half of what he gained has already gone.
Ragnek's second idea is to use his connection to Kizzik.
He successfully draws upon all bar 2 of the bird's POW and manages to get everyone to safety - just in the nick of time as Gort turns up and says Havoc's troops are only minutes away.

Completely exhausted, Ragnek climbs up into his tower to relax. But after an hour he has to cure Iner and land the bridge again - this time in Ice Reach Vale.

As Ragnek does this his companions calm the slaves and offer explanations. Approximately 60 of the slaves ask to be taken or shown back to their respective lands as they have friends and relatives there. Red explains that it might take a few weeks, "In the meantime you can repay us for your freedom by helping to get the other people here settled into their new home."

Mace has problems.
Mace is dragged from prison and brought before Lucille of the Witch Temple. At first Lucille is happy to interrogate Mace in the citadel but Mace proves so defient and insulting that she orders him transfered to the Temple by her female Temple Guards.

As Mace is carried squirming across the threshold, he is suddenly effected by the Temple's magic and to his horror, transformed into a woman.

Laughing, Lucille continues her questioning but Mace (in absolute shock) proves even more infuriating.

The Bridge of Stars.
Ragnek decides to break out the special effects. He lands his magical bridge in the Ice Reach Vale, opting to have it appear as a bridge of shimmering stars descending from the sky.

When the slaves of Ice Gard step off the bridge and look back, they drop to their knees in awe. Many of them believe they have just ascended from Heaven itself. Others believe that the Tower they have spent their entire lives building for Lord Bastil to touch Elondil already exists and they have just been there. "Behind every story there is a truth," Ragnek says.

Even Tyrant, Targus and Red look suitably impressed when they see the Star Bridge.
"I serve the power's that be. I serve Cairis. I am his son," Ragnek intones piously.

Tyrant and Targus escort the slaves into the ruined citadel of Ice Reach. There Tyrant begins learning about the people, their names and various skills as Targus tends to Iner.

Suddenly remembering Mace, Ragnek scries the young "man" but instead finds a young woman. Ragnek is horrified by what the witches have done. "The Wise would have done something bad but this is just horrific!" he exclaims.

Returning to his tower with Red, Kryss (with a badly injured arm -60%) and Gort, Ragnek prepares to mount a rescue.

An unexpected return to Ice Gard.
4am. Red shifts Ragnek just outside of Ice Gard's outer bailey citadel wall. At first the two of them enter in their physical bodies but soon realize they don't have enough information from Ragnek's scrying orb to find where Mace is being held.

Mace has been transfered from the Witch Temple to Ice Gard's senior barracks on Lucille's order. "Maybe after the guards have broken you in you'll be more willing to share some names with me," Lucille whines, ushering for Mace to be carried away. "When you've begged enough I'll let you serve us here as a slave. Until then you'll service the men as a bitch."

With time running out before Mace is "raped", Ragnek and Red enter the citadel in their ethereal bodies, opening doors and looking through rooms for Mace's tied up body. En route Ragnek learns through his orb that Mace has been beaten again for biting off a guard's ear.

Eventually Red and Ragnek find Mace, barely conscious in an empty room. Even though Mace cannot see them in their spiritual forms, Red and Ragnek can see him in the green light from Ragnek's staff. Red shifts them both away, back to the veil and the log cabin.

Rosalind tends to Mace's wounds.

5am.
Mace is understandably distraught at his situation, alternating between shock and anger. Despite Ragnek's best efforts at comforting him/her, Mace's condition doesn't improve. Especially when Rosalind (completely naive and tactless as usual) begins instructing Mace on how to pee in his new body. As Rosalind says, "I can't understand what all the fuss is about. Being a girl is just as good as being a boy, surely." When Ragnek refers to the two missing "bits" Rosalind pipes up "Oh Tyrant showed me his the other night. And that bit in the middle too."
"Next time he shows you, grab that bit in the middle and yank on it, real hard," says Red.
"Yes," adds Ragnek. "The harder the better. He'll like that." Red and Ragnek both laugh.

"I'm gonna kill them. Kill them all," Mace says.
Outside Ragnek tells Red the bad news. "It's not like a normal spell that can be undone or dispeled. I'll have to shapeshift him back which could take time. I don't have a good idea what his original body was like which could also prove a problem."

Gortte arrives on the scene. After speaking briefly with Ragnek he wanders off to be alone into the wood as dawn approaches and he grows weaker.

Ragnek goes back into the cabin and sleeps near the 3 women, Rosalind, Red and the unfortunate Mace.

9am
Ragnek is awakened by a panicked Rosalind. "She's gone. I only popped out to get fresh snow and when I got back, she'd gone."
Ragnek, cranky at being disturbed and still extremely low on energy snaps at Rosalind and sits up. As Red has already left to check on Kryss and the others, Ragnek accompanies Rosalind into the trees, searching for the distressed and suicidal Mace.

They soon come across Mace, gripping a knife on her knees by a tree. "I can't think straight," she sobs.
Ragnek's composure softens and becomes more sympathetic as he realises the changes Mace has undergone are not just physical but spiritual and mental too. "There is bound to be a period of adjustment," he thinks to himself.

It doesn't take a lot to persuade Mace to return to the cabin.

5pm.
Hours later Red returns and grabs some breakfast. Together, Red and Ragnek jog across the vale towards Tyrant, the slaves and the magical bridge. When they arrive Ragnek heals Kryss' arm whilst Red speaks with Tyrant, finalizing her mental "shopping list" of things they need.

The plan is for Kryss and Red to raid several villages, taking sheep, cows, horses and equipment. Ragnek will then transport the stuff back to the vale using his bridge.

Gortte arrives and volunteers to help Kryss and Red on their raids. He says to Ragnek "Perhaps if I help, Ragnek will try and find out more about someone for me," meaning the beautiful Dark Fey Ragnek saw in a vision. "Of course," Ragnek replies.

Ragnek randomly lands his bridge somewhere in central Dim Dale. Kryss, Red and Gortte then split up and scout for suitable villages in the area. If they don't find one, Ragnek is to pick them up at midnight. If they do find one, dawn.

Stormcrow's explorations.
6pm.
With time to waste Ragnek returns to his tower, lies down and dreams himself up into the dreamworld tower to see his identical counterpart, Stormcrow. The two Wizards exchange information and bounce ideas. Stormcrow says "I've begun exploring this dreamworld again. I can't stay bottled up in this infernal tower any longer. There's still a force, a "something" out there, that I have a terrible forboding about but for the time being I shall try and avoid it."
Touching hands the two Wizards share experiences. Ragnek uses his ability to communicate spirit to spirit, to exchange images. Stormcrow shows him an impressive fortress with 18 towers and 7 keeps enclosed within a forty foot high solid stone wall. "I saw many fleeting images of these strange creatures living inside it," Stormcrow adds, describing black skinned goblins with pointed ears, noses and chins. Ragnek becomes intrigued.
Stormcrow also shows Ragnek images of a nearby gorge with a river running through it to a large barren lake. Around the lake's edge are thousands of dried bones strangely absent of snow. A dragon's ribcage forms a bridge up and out over the water, ending in a dragon's skull, the top cleaved off as if by some giant sword, the floor of it heavily stained with the blood of countless sacrifices.

Ragnek and Stormcrow then decide to exchange more their experiences by touching hands. Ragnek gains skill in casting "Lightning Bolt" but the exchange of information is so detailed and realistic (as i he were actually casting the spell) that Stormcrow accidently does cast it - right at Ragnek's chest. Ragnek wakes up with minor burns and a head full of standing hair.

9pm.
Kryss leads Red and Gortte to the village of Droven. They approach the first building and knock on the door. A man called Masark answers, expecting one of his friends. Red grabs the man, lifts him up and slams him against the wall. "If you do exactly as we tell you, no one will be hurt and we will go on our way. If you panic, or attempt to resist or fight us in any way, you will be hurt. Believe me, you can't be brave, only stupid."

11pm.
Ragnek scries Hurin. Unable to sleep the Pale man General stands alone in a yard, practicing his sword moves with a perpetual scowl on his face.

Midnight.
Gortte briefly returns to bridge's landing site to tell Ragnek they have found a suitable village. Ragnek agrees to meet them all at dawn.

2am.
Next on Ragnek's puzzle list is the tower's "Chamber of many holes" – He attempts to discover if there is any combination that may cause something to occur. First he tries to fill the holes up with water but only succeeds in sealing the holes behind a thin ice wall. He later consults Stormcrow for ideas.

There are dozens of holes of varying dimensions and depths. Ragnek can seal them or unseal them making “pockets” of air / space in the tower wall. A mysterious room that Stormcrow has already dedicated a lot of time to studying. He says “the only use so far I’ve found this chamber is in storing objects – which I don’t have. I consider it a complete waste of time. Leave it alone and go find some artefacts.”

Without any breakthroughs, Ragnek retires to his Ice map chamber, adding more detail to its three dimensions. He also begins sculpting a ice statue of one the strange goblin like creatures Stormcrow showed him.

Whilst consulting with Stormcrow, Ragnek fills his counterpart in on Mace's situation.
Stormcrow offers some good advice.

“Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear” says Stormcrow. “That young boy does indeed have a few bits short of full inventory. Let me see – we don’t know any shape shifting rituals and we don’t know any spells either. His body, spirit and mind have been altered – which goes beyond mere spells. What we need is something with a little more oomph."

"Ok, how about this – First we need to study the magic involved. Not mind you the magic after the event as that is too late and already diminished. We need to examine the source of the alteration magic by getting close to the actual Temple."

"Next we need to ascertain whether the magic can be easily reversed by the witches of the Temple. If so, wouldn’t it be easier mugging one of them and shoving a few lightning bolts up her witchyness first."

"If that isn’t possible we have a long hard task ahead of us. Concocting rituals to effect the world is relatively easy but ones that alter living beings is a field we have very little experience in. Furthermore, and it has to be said, we don’t have a detailed template to restore Mace to. He may have to accept that he will never be the same person again."

Ragnek asks Stormcrow to research two things. One: Stone Skin Spell. Two: the Pastures New Ritual with a view to making it bigger. Ragnek's idea is to have the entire population of Ice Reach Vale praying to Cairis all at once! 500 or so all asking for the same thing whilst the Son of Cairis does a poky ritual.

Stormcrow says sagely, “Faith is indeed a strong tool but not one needed by the Wise of Cairis. We are above such things are we not? What we cannot achieve, no being can.” Stormcrow then stares at the sky piously before shrugging and agreeing to cast Stoneskin a fair bit. “Were I not a Wise Wizard with infinite wisdom and intellect at my disposal I would be feeling quite hard done by and embittered by the fact that you are out having all the fun and I am alone with my ego, towering over the Dreamscape of these lands like a giant black moon.”

First raid a success.
Dawn.
Kryss, Red and Gortte arrive back at Ragnek's bridge. They bring with them 4 sleds of stock and equipment, 2 cows, 10 sheep, 6 chickens and one horse. "A good night," Red grins. "There's another two villages within our range here. We might as well raid them, now we're here."

Ragnek transports everything back to Ice Reach, leaving Kryss and Red to continue a daytime raid. Gortte silently retires into the nearby wood.

Ragnek rests until midday but does a bit of scrying.
10am.
Lucille appears to be bathing in some heated water. She seems concerned about several nasty burn scars on her left shoulder. A serving girl washes her back. Conversation is brief and mostly about what she has to do today – including a meeting with Havoc at midday and meting out punishment for various and sundry crimes during the afternoon. Lucille says to the girl, “When I am summoned beyond the veil I shall ask beauty – the kind of beauty that will cause men to worship me like a goddess.”
“You are already worshipped as such mistress,” the serving girl replies.
“Would that I were. If that were so dear Jolene then Havoc would be kneeling before me, begging to kiss my toes.”

The War Council.
12am.
Havoc is walking somewhere within Citadel Ice Gard. He soon arrives in a large and impressively designed war room. Centremost in the room is a table of Ice and atop that table a sprawling map of Ice Gard (one that Ragnek glimmers bits of information from but nothing not already on the large map).

Havoc sits down opposite two Generals and five Majors – all Pale men. Also present are 6 nobles of Ice Gard and Lucille of the Witch Temple.

Ragnek learns their names ;-
Hurin Havoc – chairing meeting, General Mishnallo – old man, painful limbs. Ragged looking and worn out. General Shak – approx 40 ish. Moves with a limp. Sniffs a lot. Major Rheat Krystal Axe, Major Lon Horn Tugger, Major Kerese Bright Blade, Major Lawdryn Tombs, Major Maddal Ice Krane, Advocate Trumire of the Pale Host – some sort of advisor / priest. Ragnek is still unsure of Trumire’s position but people seem to listen to him. Noble Yorri of Ice Gard, Noble Ghen of Lake Aslade, Noble Urens of Ice Gard, Noble ? of ? - Has a big nose. Noble ? of ? – Seems frightened and finally Noble ? of Ice Gard – who has furtive, darting eyes.

No Lord Bastil. Surprise surprise.

“Right, starting with you Mishnallo, I want to know how deep we stand in this pit of shit and whether we can start climbing out of it,” Hurin begins.

General Mishnallo – “… and I should point out that there have been no other reported attacks by the trolls. They have simply vanished back into the wastes. One group of scouts did come across two trolls corpses. They appeared to have been torn apart by other trolls… we’re dealing with animals here.”

General Shak – “Ice Gard itself is now fully mobilised. We have alerted all of the nearest keeps but it will be another day before the border keeps are reached. In response to your suggestion Havoc of there still being some of the foe hidden here in the Citadel I have doubled all guards and in some areas even trebled them. We are also conducting a house to house search and interrogating anyone who shows any resistance.”

Hurin – “If anyone puts up a show, have them publicly executed.”

Major Lawdryn – “We are still exploring the tunnels beneath the Citadel. So far we have come across no signs of habitation other than in the pit chamber where we throw our rubbish. The pit creatures living there are dead but show no sign of any wounds. At this stage the Red Witch’s claim to live there seems false."

Major Kerese – “My troops have scoured the entire area where the slaves were last tracked to. I am mystified. They appear to have vanished into the thin air and disguised all trace of scent in process.”

Lucille – “There is no doubt here – Magic has been used. My mistress has not heard of this Red Witch and currently working on a way of locating where she has taken the slaves.”

“But why has this witch taken the slaves in the first place?” asks Kerese.
Lucille – “I do not know for sure but I believe she has rescued them on behalf of one of our enemies.”
“But which one?” Hurin growls. “Who would have the courage to do this? Who would willingly ally with trolls – and make no mistake here, for this witch was allied with the trolls or at the least, these trolls feared the witch enough to let the humans live. If we still had our prisoner perhaps we would know by now.”

Lucille – “The prisoner was placed into the hand’s of your soldiers. If they had been more competent in their duties she would still be here now.”
More bickering ensues.
“Can’t your mistress work faster?” demands Havoc to Lucille.

“When was the last time something like this happened?” Lucille retorts. “It’s not like it happens every ten years or so – I’m sorry but we can’t be prepared for every eventuality. It was an army of trolls! How can you plan for that?”

1pm.
Ragnek pays a visit to Trick. Trick has been busy helping the liberated slaves settle down in the Vale. Red has also been pumping him for information about Ice Gard and the other northern lands.

“No Ragnek, my parents weren’t among them. I looked and asked everyone here but no one knows anything. If they’re still alive they aren’t here. They must be being held in the Dungeons of Ice Gard, deep underneath the main Citadel in the Ice Tunnels of Fangoth. It’s a fancy name I know but in reality they’re just a load of ice tunnels, nothing more.”

Trick continues, “I still want to get them out. Or at least know if they’re still alive. For the time being I’ll help these people. Thank you for trying.”

Legends and Myths.

Trick adds “If you hear the music of the Spriggens, you fall under their spell. No one sees them and lives. Luckily they’re hardly ever seen and always keep to themselves.”

Targus – “Mythical creatures – hmm. Only the Dark Orn like you mentioned earlier. I’m not good at monsters. More of a man man myself. Never really listened to the stories. They do have shadows in Dim Dale though. Or so I hear. Never seen one myself.”

Iner – "There are meant to be lots. You tell me a tale of your southern lands and I will tell you a tale of these northern ones. I’ll begin."

“Stories abound about Citadel Dale in Dim Dale. They speak of how peculiar it is and how nothing seems able to cast a shadow within its echoing halls. If you do perchance sight a shadow behind you you should immediately pray for forgiveness and never, ever touch it lest it replace you.”

“As you mentioned the Black Orn a little while ago I shall speak of Typhon – the She dragon, mother of Wayrath the Black Hearted. Typhon was a huge and fearsome dragon, some say twice the size of any dragon before her. When she flew she plunged the lands into darkness. When she screamed she broke the tops off of mountains and when she spat forth her dreaded breath, the very Heart of the World would recoil in horror. Some people say she was driven high into the sky and trapped behind the Sun. Others say she fells to the earth and created Lake Typhon when she struck the ground. Her fate and her history is linked to the Tale of Tanicus…. Your turn.”

Iner lists some legendary places he has heard of; "Lake Typhon. The Frost fire Mines, The Midnight Wall, The Lost Barrow of Kand, The Dragon’s Graveyard, Citadel Husk… I think that’s all I know of. Oh, Ragnek’s Tower, The Vale of Ice Reach, Iner’s Lair, Tyrant’s Stone, Red’s cabin by the Fells… I’m sure there’s more.” – grin. “Sorry, I am in good spirits. Targus would chastise me for being so flippant.”

Before Ragnek returns to his tower he discovers Tyrant has been "talking" about the southern lands and makes a mental note to shut the champion's mouth before he blabs too much.
“I am well Ragnek. I am enjoying helping these people and have some time to spare. I am also finding the tales Tyrant tells of the lands to the south quite wondrous. To think this was once a great citadel, leading to another “World.” I am amazed.”

8pm.
Lucille is back inside the Witch Temple. This time she is praying before an altar. After muttering in a language even Ragnek doesn’t understand but which seems very old, Lucille strips naked pours a bowl of blood down her forehead, letting it run down her breasts all the way to her groin.
“I pray for guidance. I offer myself this night to one of your spirits. I willingly pay the price. Enter my body so that I might see and hear what was and will be.”

With that Lucille retires to her room and lays down to sleep. Ragnek finds this all very disturbing.

9pm.
Waylind seems to be on patrol on top of one of Ice Gard’s walls. He is muttering to himself – “What am I doing here?” Another soldier comes up to him and reports,  “Sergeant, all barrels present and correct sir.”
“Good, good. Go and count something else. I know, count all those flags on that wall – 3 times," Waylind gestures.
“Yes sir,” the soldier crisply replies, muttering curses under his breath.
Waylind continues his own mumbling. “I’m screwed. I’m completely screwed.”

All Charged Up and nothing to shoot.
10pm. Ragnek prepares his Lightning Bolt to 119%, just in case Lucille unleashes some sort of demon at him.

Midnight
Ragnek scries Lucille. After a few minutes something strange befalls the priestess. She begins moaning and writhing on her bed as if some unseen force is having sex with her sleeping body. As Ragnek gazes from afar he witnesses receive dozens of bruises (some that look like fingers) upon her exposed flesh before eventually coming to a climax and sitting bolt upright. Lucille's eyes flutter open appearing black on black for several moments before she slumps back down and back to sleep.
"I don't bloody like this," Ragnek moans, rushing off to see Red. "That fucking Witch Bitch has just been shagged by a Demonic spirit!"
 

5am.
Ragnek wakes up after a short kip. The first thought in his head is "scry the bitch."
Lucille is just waking up aswell. She speaks aloud but nothing Ragnek particularly wants to hear, making him all the more frustrated. All she says is "Thankyou Mistress."

8am.
In an attempt to learn more spells, Ragnek casts "Veil" 4 times but on the 4th time it shatters. Unfortunately he doesn’t grasp enough of the magic to successfully learn it. He does however learn Purify and Sleep with relative ease.

Stormcrow says “Don’t try learning these spells – let me learn them for the both of us. Then I can “share” my knowledge of the spell with you. That way we don’t lose anymore crystals.”

A Warrior's Code.
1pm.
In Citadel Ice Gard, Waylind (now a Sergeant in Havoc's army due to some lucky coincidences and a few well placed fibs) takes part in some routine military maneuvers. In command of 10 men, Waylind takes his squad through various ordeals and rigerous training excercises designed by Major Lawdryn Tombs to help combat enemy charges and fight in bad terrain. In competitiion with three other squads against a squad of elite Krystalgard, Waylind struggles for ways to earn the respect of his recently aquired men as they appear downhearted and unmotivated. It is no secret among the other soldiers watching the routine boring exercises that Waylind's men are a bunch of no-hopers and only fit to be trampled over by the more experienced squads. Of course Waylind doesn't know this and decides that if he's going to take part, he's going to take part to win.
Calling upon some of his father Torquil's tactical training, Waylind begins to assert himself. "I have a way we can win this but you have to do what I say - exactly what I say and whan I say it."
One of the soldiers, a man called Vern laughs. "You can't win at these things. We stand here, hold up our shields and try and defend whilst they charge us."
"I tell you, we can win," Waylind says. "Look, I don't intend on standing here waiting to get run over by one of those trolls or any of those laughing, smug idiots over there. If you follow my plan, we'll come away from this the victors and those bastards will be the one's standing where we are tomorrow."
"Why should we?" Vern asks.
"Because you've got nothing to lose. You're already the laughing stock of this army. Tell 'em to shove it where the sun don't shine and follow me."
Vern and the others agree, listening intently as Waylind explains his plan.
When the next charge takes place Waylind gives a signal and his men break position. Through a series of quick and unexpected moves Waylind manages to scatter the Krystalgard charge, take control of the situation and capture a force three time's his size through a combination of sheer audacity, decisive decision making and calculated maneuvers.
Major Lawdryn is stunned. "How did you do that lad? Where did you learn it?"
"I just thought it up Major. I always think them up," Waylind lied.
"You can do it again?"
Waylind, on a high from his victory blabs "That and more."
"Well Sergeant, you and I had better have a chat."

2pm.
News of Waylind's victory over the Krystalgard spreads through the disheartened human ranks of Ice Gard's army. As it does it changes becoming more daring, more bloody and more rebelious. Rumors about him spread like wildfire sparking imaginations and raising troop morale.

3pm.
Rosalind tells Ragnek about a situation that occured that morning when Tyrant turned up unexpectedly at the cabin. Mace had a panic attack and fled up and out onto the roof to escape being seen. After Tyrant left Mace came back down and started crying again.
Referring to Shyloom's seeds and the best place to plant one, Rosalind pleads “It should be the wood as all the other trees are actually a part of it. Please let it be the wood. I could get the trees to protect the cabin. Please Ragnek, please.”

Red says to Ragnek “We need to keep Mace active. If it’s going to be a while he can’t spend the entire time locked up in that cabin. At the very least, Rosalind will drive him mad. Maybe you could teach him how to ride that horse of yours. Or I could. I’ve had a few lessons (from Ischandi). It might take his mind off of things. If not the horse, then something else.”

Kryss gives his view on the situation saying  “Mace should be physically active. He needs to understand that even though he has changed on the outside he can still walk, taste and smell. Too much brooding is unhealthy for the body, spirit and mind.”

The people whisper about Ragnek behind his back. They think he is a priest – a true priest. “The Gods have not forsaken us. They have sent their servant.”

4pm.
Ragnek continues his ice sculpture.

Ragnek approaches Mace and makes her an offer. Rather than staying with Rosalind he should accompany Red and Kryss on thier missions – "Hey, It is for a good cause and more importantly it is directly spiting the Witches. I will even make you a promise. Helps me and I will help you by getting the Witch responsible for what happened."

Mace stares blankly at Ragnek showing no interest whatsoever in anything anyone is doing. He also refuses to eat and drink. In response to Ragnek’s promise to deliver the witch responsible for his predicament, Mace again refuses to respond. Rosalind says “She’s not crying as much now. Just sitting there.”

Rebel without a clue.
1.30pm.
Ragnek checks in on Flick, who is up and moving after his near death ordeal. However it soon becomes apparent that his attitude (if possible) seems to have deteriorated. Bewildered by all the changes around him, he laughs at Tyrant “pretending” to be a Lord, earning him murderous glares from the immense Champion. Then when Ragnek approaches to see how he is doing it isn’t long before he starts shouting and yelling abuse.

“What the hell’s going on here? Who are all these people? No it’s not good to be rescued – not good at all. Did you think for a moment that I might have wanted to be dead. I don’t want to be here. So far your promises of making me a hero so I can go back and win Martha have been a pile of crock. You’re all Red this and Tyrant that but it’s the little people that get trod on. The little people that suffer. Now you’ve got brainless here pretending to be their savior. Who’s next on the abuse list – that skinny shit over there trying to gnaw his own foot or the ugly girl with what looks like an eyeball hanging out of her nose. I can’t believe how I got persuaded to come along on this “adventure….” So far I’ve been in dark, dingy, dangerous spots. I feel like I’ve fallen under some evil God’s armpit and there’s no escape. Oh crap. It’s all crap. This is crap. I’m crap. I just want to go home but I’m never going to get home. That’s it. I’m not staying here and playing “rebuild the castle” with a bunch of mindless morons. I’m not going to stand back and take orders. I’m not a soldier. I’m a shepherd and a shepherd I’ll be. With my own bloody sheep mind you – not some nicked shag from someone elses village. I’ll breed the bloody things myself. I’ll rub wool together till it turns into one if I have to. I’ve had enough. Have you any idea what it’s like being trapped underground, in the dark, with hundreds of things crawling up towards your arse and there’s nothing you can do about it. Have you any idea what it’s like waking up to find your “friendly” dumb troll companion has dribbled a lake of drool over your head whilst you slept or that he’s accidently tried shoving you into a fire on several occasions. Well I’ll tell you. IT’s SHITE. Shoot me, chop me up, I don’t give a shag. Nope you can’t threaten me. I’m off. I’m going. I’ve had it. Stuff the world – just after I’ve had lunch.”

Ragnek gets very angry. "Where do you think you are going to go in the middle of winter? Do you really want to die? Because If you keep walking out of the vale you will be dead in a couple of days. If you want to end it so soon, then I will quite happily oblige!" Ragnek looms over the young man. "I am not going to put up with Insolent, Bad mouthed, insulting, Childlike Behaviour anymore! Grow up you fool, just because you left your oh’ so precious sheep behind doesn’t mean that it is the end of your little world – Get over it!" By now Ragnek is extremely pissed and by no means a happy Wizard. "Do not seek to upset the delicate balance that is in place, by all means become a part of it but do not upset it!"

Flick stomps / staggers off. “I’m going home. I’m going to find a way back across these mountains or through that tunnel. One way or another I’m going back to Martha.”  He starts walking.

“You’ll be dead in a week,” Tyrant shouts after him.
“Should we stop him?” Targus asks. “He doesn’t seem in his right mind. The poor fellow has a hint of the Midnight Madness in his eyes.”
“Maybe if I gave him a sheep,” Tyrant suggests with a wicked grin. “We could call it Martha. No one would tell the difference.”
Iner says – “He is lost, without a purpose. When one such as he has nothing inside to lose, no one can give that man a purpose or reason to live. The man must find it for himself. Targus, didn’t the Wolfen of Dark Moon call it a Shau’lou – a “Destiny Quest.” 
“They did, though I don’t understand it,” Targus replies. “You surprise me again Iner with your knowledge of the ancient ways.”
Iner ignores him. “I know my Destiny – it gives me strength of purpose and a reason to live. I will see the evil driven from these lands and the final restoration of the past. I know this is at the end of my path but I do not know how I will get there.”
“Sounds like mumbo jumbo bollocks,” Tyrant adds, cutting his hair with a large knife. “I don’t need to know anything about my life. I just take it as it comes. If you think too much you just end up tripping over yourself.”
“You’re a reactionary,” Iner says.
“Don’t call me names kid or I’ll sit on you.”
Iner laughs.
Later, Ragnek in a conversation with Tyrant refers to Flick as a "nervous little turd." "I could put him to sleep for a hundred years," Ragnek thinks to himself, watching the young man dart up the mountainside at an unnatural speed.

3pm.
Ragnek scries Flick to see if he is dead yet. He sees the young man huddled in a tiny crevice somewhere up in the moutains. "He'll come down when he's ready," Red says, herself more concerned at the moment with Mace's dilemma.

6pm.
Ragnek visits Gort in the bowels of his echoing tower (the Champion has been sleeping the Ragnek's tower the past few nights as it's the only place he can find spiritual peace and quiet at the moment) and listens to Gort's tips on bow making and fletching. They get so carried away they forget the time and their rendezvous with Kryss and Red.

The Spirit Snatch
8pm.
Ragnek and Gort return via the bridge to meet Kryss and Red at the cabin. On the way Gort stops, staring into the trees. "I had the feeling I was being watched, from those trees."
As Ragnek is not in the mood for any of this, he enlists Kryss, Red and Gort for a foray into the trees. However after ten long minutes stalking through the wood's western edge they uncover nothing.
"I'll stay here with Mace and Rosalind. I should be able to handle anything thrown at me," Red suggests, still unwilling to have Mace moved back among the others just yet.
Ragnek agrees, heading back to his bridge with Kryss and Gort. On the way though Gort stops again. "I think I I'll just take a walk around the vale tonight." Gort feels he stands more chance finding whatever is out there alone and Ragnek again, has to agree.

Targus welcomes Ragnek and Kryss back at the Great Tunnel entrance. "Why the long faces?" the veteran asks.
"Just a nagging feeling," Ragnek mutters sourly.
"Ah, so you are married. I was beginning to wonder," Targus laughs. "Our Lord is at the back of the tunnel, sat asleep on his new chair."
"Chair?" Ragnek's mood darkens.
They find Tyrant asleep, a gourd of minter in one hand and a half eaten chicken in the other. "Wake up!" Ragnek snaps. It isn't long before Tyrant is partly briefed on the situation.
"I just can't believe anyone has found us. It's impossible, isn't it?"
"No Tyrant. They have magic like ours" Ragnek replies.

Back at the cabin Rosalind and Mace are sound asleep as Red sits guard by the door. She suddenly perceives something at the edge of her hearing and strains her senses to compensate. To her surprise she feels the spirit of the door opening by her but fails to "see" it move - something which completely throws her. The next thing she realizes is someone or something attempting to touch her arm. Unable to see who or what the intruder is she resorts to slashing the blade through the air. In moments the presence leaves and Red regains her wits. "Ragnek!" she gasps. "It's invisible."

Elsewhere Ragnek settles down to get some sleep, leaving Tyrant, Targus and Kryss on watch. However he doesn't sleep for long. Waking abruptly he finds himself somewhere completely different, the feeling of being spiritually shifted to a new location very fresh upon his senses. As soon as he arrives, the gnarled sharp fingers of several Black Orn grasp his arms and shoulders, forcing him into a kneeling position. It is then and only then that he notices all bar one of his magical items missing - his Spirit Fire Staff.
He manages to see Kryss beyond the half dozen Orn, similarly bewildered, itemless and firmly held but what drains the color from the Wizard's features most is The Midnight Wall. Less than 100 feet away he feels energy vibrating through the very air and ether, he sees the myriad countless intermingling elementals of earth and air flowing in and out of the wall and he sees the twin Obelisks of Midnight forming the Enchanted Gateway to the North. Between them, these 100 foot high glossy structures "not made by human hands" hangs a veil of black energy unlike anything Ragnek has seen or felt. The sight unnerves him.

"Do not move. Move and be hurt. We await the 3," one of the creatures grates. And Ragnek waits.

The Coming of the "3"
Three women appear, stepping through the "liquid" like black magical veil, each garbed in a long plain hooded robe, one white, one gray and one black. They stop in a line 50 feet from where Ragnek and Kryss are being held by the Black Orn, the white robed woman completely pulling back her hood and the gray robed woman half following suit.
The white robed woman appears pale haired and of indeterminate age. She comes across as the diplomat and speaks first. The gray robed woman appears impatient and frustrated when things are not as she expects, wanting to leave straight away and forget the whole thing. The black robed woman doesn't speak, move or given any sign of her motives at all.

White robe - to something / someone Ragnek and Kryss cannot see "Where is she? Why isn't she here?"
Though Ragnek doesn't know it yet, three powerful spirits sworn into Arûn's service stand nearby, cloaked and hidden from even Ragnek's perception by the mysterious spiritual light of the Midnight Sun. One of them explains how Red foiled their attempt to grab her and how her skill with a sword (a special sword at that) forced them to retreat. As one of them says, "It was meant to be quick and easy. When it got difficult, we pulled out rather than risk discovery."

The white robed woman speaks to Ragnek (who successfully passes himself off as Thekrian the Thick) and then Kryss, giving them both a message to take back to Red. “If the Red witch wishes to compete for any of the prizes she must first be sanctioned by the 3. Anyone attempting to compete who is not sanctioned will be deemed unlawful and classed as prey. We will not appear again. If she wishes to be sanctioned she must come here and call upon us.”

"Thek knows his place," Ragnek mutters unintelligently.

With that said, all 3 pass back through the veil and out of sight. Moments later the Orn release their prisoners and Ragnek senses something not quite ethereal touching the back of his hand. Before he can analyse the feeling further everything goes red as he is spirit shifted back to the vale, arriving 50 yards from the great tunnel's mouth.

No sooner than the familiar ground appears underfoot, Ragnek commands his staff to burst into flames, revealing in its light the three spiritual kidnappers in all their glory and horror.

The Spirits of Midnight.
Taboo (male, 5’10’ – covered in black veins and skin patterns that throb with energy.)
Brigand (male, 6’2”, white skinned, black eyed, cloak of phasing at will 100’ range)
Menace (male, 6’3”, blood red skinned, shifting face of fear), demonic nails, cat like eyes, bright red living hair.

Brigand, startled by Ragnek's outburst, rolls backwards and throws a dagger at the Wizard's head. Even though it is a spiritual dagger Ragnek feels it slice deeply into his temple, spilling blood down his cheek and neck - a close call.
Meanwhile Taboo's veins come alive, bursting out of his arms, legs, temples and neck like so many living tendrils to envelop his skin in an oily black blood.
Menace looms over Ragnek, exuding pure menace. For a moment the Wizard's spirit falters under Menace's stare but Ragnek retaliates, drawing upon his undeniable faith in Cairis and forces Menace to withdraw.
"Leave!" Menace barks to Taboo and Brigand before leisurely departing himself in a red fire-cracker effect.

As soon as all three have gone, Kryss begins shaking. "I, I don't know what that was but I felt very intimidated by that thing."
"It was a spirit power Kryss, nothing more," Ragnek assures. "They're gone now."
But despite his seeming calm, Ragnek seethes with anger. Once alone he cries "I am still the son of Cairis!" and begins to despair. "How can we defend against spirits we can't even see?"

Ragnek then talks to Tyrant (who comes running over to see what all the yelling is about), telling him about the Spirits. The Champion reacts badly to the news, unable to come to terms with his own powerlessness.

Kryss, Ragnek and Tyrant then rush back to the cabin to check on Red. She is startled when they burst in, as she is already trying to shift to them and warn of the unseen assailants. *Note - Tyrant briefly glimpses Mace in the cabin but doesn't recognize her.

Ragnek and Red contemplate what to do about the "unseen" spirits and their red auras. It is Ragnek who suggests visiting Destiny at Orikeen.

Plucking the strings of Fate.
Svorn is not happy to see them, especially at such an ungodly hour. Cranky and tired he agrees to wander into a nearby barn and listen to their barrage of questions. He yawns, mumbles some simplistic answers and generally tries to get home and to bed as quickly as possible.

Ragnek heals his head wound.

Svorn's revelations ;-
He reluctantly tells Ragnek where to find the Dark female fey - In Kand's Hollow. "But don't go there," he stresses. "Anyone that goes there never leaves."
Svorn also suggests the reason why Ragnek and Red cannot see the spirits is because of the Midnight Sun - Svorn is being his usual helpful self.

War and Craft.
After visiting Svorn Ragnek travels to ask Keos similar questions. The Spirit of War proves just as annoying. He does reveal the names of the 3 kidnapping spirits; "There's about 24 of them, living on the edge of Daig in an old citadel called Shakoda."
Interestingly Keos also has a bad reaction when Ragnek mentions "Kand's Hollow."
"Don't go there, if you want to ever carry on living."
"But what's there?" Ragnek presses.
"A stone... the stone of Kand himself. It is said that anyone who can touch it will brought before the Father of the Gods and given unlimited power."
"That doesn't sound too bad," says Ragnek.
"You don't think beings have tried?" Keos scoffs. Before Ragnek leaves Keos sets the Wizard some homework. "I want you to think about Tyrant and Kryss, how they differ in fighting styles and attitudes to War. We will discuss this before I answer anymore of your questions."
Ragnek silently fumes and leaves. "How dare he set me tasks! I am the son of Cairis!"

11pm.
Midnight Revelations.
Red and Ragnek leave Svorn and return to the Tower of Day. Here Ragnek suddenly makes a huge leap of understanding when he examines the specifications of his "Summon the Midnight Sun," ritual.

During the Midnight War in Daydark, the wise performed the Ritual of the Midnight Sun. During this war, which essentially lasted 1 night, the ritual caused the death of 20,000 Orn raiders. By summoning the Midnight Sun overhead, it was impossible for anyone in its light to die, no matter how mutilated or dismembered they became. The light prevented any souls from leaving the area. It also imbued the Wise with unlimited energy to fuel their spells and rituals.

When Red hears Ragnek's description of the ritual, she describes the light of the Midnight Sun as "Hell on Earth." Then taking another leap Red begins working on a theory of what the Midnight Sun actually is. "It's an Anti-sun. The opposite of a normal sun. Whereas the sun is normally life and warmth I think this anti-sun is death and cold. The normal sun gives but the Midnight Sun takes. But what does it take?" Red asks. "Spirit. It must take spirit! That's why it makes people with strong spirits more powerful. It must be like the Spirit Midnight, like Gort. He gives a piece of himself to an object but when he takes it back, it takes everything back with it - absorbing the original spirit into itself. This Midnight Sun eats spirit!"
Ragnek begins growing very concerned. If the Midnight Sun is attracted to spirit it might explain why his friends all underwent some sort of transformation after arriving in the northlands. Then Ragnek has a terrifying idea... what if the Midnight Sun is being drawn towards Ischandi's Great Barrier. If it eventually absorbs the barrier, the Sun might travel south into Daydark - And if the Sun rises high enough in the sky - anything beneath it will be unable to die.

As Red says, "Even if nothing dies, it will still grow old and rot. This land beyond the Midnight Wall could contain thousands of undying withered husks! It's Hell. It's Daig - Daig is beyond the Wall Ragnek, beyond the wall! And it's going to spread!"

Red calls out to a nearby group of anxious Spriggens. "Where are they?"
"They know, they see, they are the 3," one of the creatures replies, cowering at a distance and refusing to look Red in the eye.

Then suddenly a wind picks up and the wall's elementals enter a frenzy. Moments later the Veil parts and energy pours forth heralding their arrival - The 3 step through the inky black gate.
"Who stands before us?" asks the one in Gray.
"Red, daughter of Dawn," Red replies.
"What do you seek?" asks the one in White.
Red thinks for a moment, then shrugs. "To be sanctioned."
"Why do you think you are worthy?" the one in Gray demands haughtily.
Not liking the Gray one's tone, Red plants her hands on her hips and gives a level stare. "Because I am. I don't need to be sanctioned to know I am powerful. If you don't want to sanction me, I'll quite happily leave."
"If you leave without being sanctioned, all witches will know you and seek you out as a renegade. You will be outside of witch law," the White one cautions.
"That doesn't bother me," says Red.
"Renegade then!" hisses the Gray one.
"No, we three must all agree," stresses the one in White. "Tell me," to Red, "Why bait us? It is not wise to make enemies of us."
"Yes tell us," whispers the one in Black, speaking for the first time.
"I don't like games. If you're going to sanction me, so be it. If you aren't, fine, I'll leave."
"You will not live!" declares the Gray one again.
"And what are you going to do about it?" Red asks, enjoying the Gray one's rising anger.
"Show us your power," asks the Black one.
"Alright, I'll show you my power. I'm going to come closer and give one of you a slap."
Outraged, the Gray one grabs the hands of the other two. "Dare to defy us?"
Red doesn't reply. Instead she walks up to them. They are so shocked at her defiance that they only agree on a course of action at the last moment. They release two powerful abilities at Red but her innate magic resistance wins through.

In horror the Gray one finds herself on the receiving end of a backhanded slap.
The Gray one screams in rage.
"I sanction this one," the Black one mutters.
"I have to agree," the White one gasps, smoothing her robe and regaining some composure.
"I do not!" screeches the Gray one.
"We will agree," the Black one stresses, taking her "sister's" arm and whispering in her ear.

Whilst the 3 recover and discuss what to do Red retreats back to a safe distance. The nearby Spriggens have thrown themselves to the ground in terror, expecting some sort of divine retribution because of Red's actions.

"We three agree. You are hereby sanctioned to take part in the contest of craft. All Craft laws now apply. You may travel freely in these lands, enter any citadel and stand before any Lord. We three have spoken."

The one in White then adds, "If you wish to compete I advise you discover the full extent of your gifts. Embrace the light of our master and you will discover the Craft within you. Of that I am certain."

With that they retreat back through the still open gateway and Red shifts back to Ragnek.
"That went well," Red says upon her return.

6am.
The Braid of magic.
Ragnek examines Red's aura for several hours inside his tower. He concludes that the spells around her are braided so finely together that they exist in perfect synch with her spirit. To put it simply, Red's aura has been strengthened by the incredibly potent magic in the spells but as a side effect it has also been made solid and unmalleable. Ragnek believes that if he can show Red how to manipulate and bend her spirit she will be able to exploit the spells and create some interesting effects. The only problem is how to introduce Red to her aura - a thing Ragnek finds out, she is very unaware of.
"Your aura is so tough," Ragnek exclaims, "I think it would be a good idea if we find a dragon. You can intimidate it and ask it to breathe on my staff."
Red chuckles. "Yeah, right."
"I'm serious," Ragnek adds, a wicked gleam in his eye. "In fact I see no reason why you can't learn magic."
Red's eyes grow wide. "What?"
"Magic. You have the spirit and the belief. I could teach you," Ragnek offers sincerely, the words striking chords deep in his soul.
"Ragnek, I, I don't know what to say..." Red gasps. "I grew up with Ischandi. He always said when I was little that magic wasn't for little girls - It was forbidden."
Ragnek thinks for a moment. "I meant what I said. I can show you how to do magic."
Red begins crying. "It's what I've always wanted. I just thought it could never be."
"Red, it would be my pleasure."
She hugs the Wizard, crying for the first time in 12 years.

Living the Dream.
Ragnek pops up onto the Dreamworld to fill Stormcrow in on recent events. Stormcrow shows signs of depression as isolation on the Dreamworld is beginning to get to him. He is irritable and distracted. "I must do something," he thinks to himself.

2am. Red, Gort and Kryss continue to scout for villages to raid northwest of the Dim Mountains.

Iner tells the story of Gimble the Troll runt and the Children of the Rubbish pits.
Gimble was a small and weak troll who bullied by his own kind found refuge in the Lord of Ice Gard's hall as a butt of cruel pranks. A popular joke among the Pale Lords, Gimble would reduce many of them into hysterics, earning their praise and small titbits of food.
One day Gimble made his escape and slit the Lord of Ice Gard's throat before jumping down a small rubbish hole. Things everyone else had thrown away became his equipment - enough for him to journey deep into the earth and happily live out the rest of his life.

9am. Ragnek takes a walk across the vale looking for Gort. He passes Kyla and Tymus (two of Ice Gard's rescued slaves) out foraging.
When Ragnek is out of earshot Kyla turns to her friend (whom she is falling in love with). "Where did the Lord say he came from?"
"From Daig," Tymus shrugs. "Somewhere cold. He isn't a man, just looks like one."
"He looks like a man."
"I heard him talk the other day. He doesn't talk like a man. More like a witch man."
"He can't be a witch. Arnik says he's a priest."
Tymus shrugs again. "Don't care either way. He seems to be helping us so that's good enough for me."