Nothing threatening seemed to arise as Rayne kept a lookout. Cor seemed to have the healing under control, so she decided it best not to draw his attention. She surveyed the devastation. This was not at all what she imagined the afterlife to look like.

Rayne overheard the injured Paladin say they were in Drimmen Dreeve. Rayne was not overly familiar with this castle, but she believed that it was no longer actively used. That being said, older castles would sometimes be garrisoned in times of need.

"I'm not too familiar with this place, but we must have been out for a while. Assuming that the Dark King's army was not completely destroyed, it would have taken a while to get here."

(OOC: I am playing Rayne as if she doesn't know that their mission ended in disaster. Let me know if this is wrong)

"Thank you I'm grateful for the aid you provided. My name is Seph Moramee,,,This is Drimmen Dreeve, where you not part of the army fighting here? ,,,..I guess the gods didn't smile upon all of my brothers. If I may be so bold to ask, would you allow me to join your group, as I search for more of my order?"
Ulthok looked at the fighter and thought him another "Holy Fighter". There was a time when being around Cor had made him nervous and when other Paladins joined he just had to mess with them. But time changed his attitude enough to know to value each team member for what they brought. This man could help the team in this new situation. So smiling he stepped forward and held out a potion of healing. "If you need Sir Knight you can have this potion of healing, I'm Ulthok ."

A Paladin. Lothor looked the injured warrior up and down. Paladins had always left him a little uncomfortable. They were good warriors typically, and the fact that this one was alive was a symbol of either skill or luck - or even more likely, both. But they also came with a "holier than though" attitude that rubbed him the wrong way. Sure, they were holier than he was. That really didn't take much. But the attitude could get in the way.

Or, maybe not. Some paladins were ok.

As he pondered the attitudes of paladins, he continued to scan the battlefield for signs of life. While doing so, he heard the man mention "Drimmen Dreeve." Drimmen Dreeve? Something about the name was familiar, but he couldn't place it. Such things were not his specialty. But he'd travelled enough and been in enough fights in enough different places that he felt he should know it. Perhaps he'd soon be able to place their location. Drimmen Dreeve?

When he heard the man ask about his comrades, the soldier in Lothor spoke up. Looking around, he said, "I see no more movement. Were they fighting by your side? Bearing a similar coat of arms? Provide some guidance and we can delay a bit to see if any other good men survive."

So saying, Lothor began to move a bit through the bodies, searching for the coat of arms worn by the paladin. He shifted bodies and looked at shields.

Alyia's frown deepened into a scowl at then mention of time travel. The Field of bodies mirroring the battle remnants made Alyia pause bothered by the cyclical nature of events.

Listening to the introductions Alyia gave the new comer a once over. looking several times from the crest on the warriors battered armour to his face an back again. Several questions entered her mind, Alyia pushed them away for now.

Alyia's eyes caught the blurred hint of movement on the horizon. Alyia watched Serine for the hint of rescue or attack. her hand slipping absently into her spell pouch.

Visions of the ground rushing beneath came to Siréne, as the magical eyes sped towards the fortress. Men, dwarves, and even elves stood side-by-side, burying the dead and fortifying the castle. They moved along the grounds and walls, doing what was always done in the aftermath of war. It seemed the whole of the world was stained with blood.

In the vision, Siréne knew a moment of relief. Where she had expected to see orcs and the undead horde, she found men and elves. The light had found a way to shine out in the darkness. And yet, there was an unfamiliar air to it all. Many of the sigils and patterns carved into stone and emblazoned on bodies were unfamiliar to her, and the garments worn were odd, as if of a fashion just passed.

A sudden gasp broke from her lips as the threads of power connecting her to the magic eyes were severed. All visions of the castle and its inhabitants were gone. Siréne hissed, there was another witch in that fortress, one strong enough to sense and destroy her spies. A second hiss joined the first as the priestess sighted beating wings rising and growing in the distance. Whether friend or foe, the castle guardians would be here soon.

In a quick turn and stride, she found herself once more among her companions as they questioned the battered warrior. A name seemed to hang thickly in the air, Drimmen Dreeve. That was an ancient name, one that had nearly been forgotten by the years.

With cerulean eyes narrowed, Siréne turned her attention on the stranger. Battered though he was, there was little doubt the man belonged to some holy order of knights or another. Of all the men to find it had to be this one and in this place. There had never been any love between Faeries and paladins, nor would today begin such things. He would have to be watched until she was sure he could be trusted.

"We will talk of Drimmen Dreeve later," the icy tone in her voice struck through all talk of when and how. "Of that I promise you, we will. For now, look to the skies. Guardians from the castle approach."

Bringing the full intensity of her gaze upon the holy knight, Siréne spoke again, "What do you know of what comes to face us. Are they friend or foe? Speak now, man!"

"Hold still lad, I'll tend your wounds quick." Cor laid hands then proceeded to call the others and help the man to a seat on a nearby rock. "Who are ye lad and what land be this before us?"

"Thank you I'm grateful for the aid you provided. My name is Seph Moramee. This is Drimmen Dreeve, where you not part of the army fighting here?" Seph studied the carnage around him, before attempting to stand. "I guess the gods didn't smile upon all of my brothers. If I may be so bold to ask, would you allow me to join your group, as I search for more of my order?"

With that the thoughts of the party were set in high gear. For some the name of Drimmen Dreeve was well known, none more so then Cor. The story of the old dwarven fortress and the battle fought there was told to each dwarf as required teaching within their schooling years. But how could they be here now, 1201 years in the past? Had the magic of the castles power source and the nine gems when combined been that strong? And if so who or what would be strong enough to send them back home if it was even possible.

"Well lad, we were not among those who fought here. We were not even in these lands last we knew. Your armor says you are a paladin but your coat of arms is unknown to me. That in itself is strange as I know every paladin coat of arms in Trilogy. I am Lord Cor, knight-cleric of Odin. If ye wish ta travel with us I believe that can be arranged. We are in need of a guide in this land. Let's meet the other lads and lasses and ye can introduce yerself." Cor quickly then introduced the others, however it was at the Paladin's first sight of Ulthok that caused him shock.

"If you need Sir Knight you can have this potion of healing, I'm Ulthok ."

Startled by the sight of a creature smaller then a dwarf and looking as if an older human child the paladin reeled away.

"What manner of child are you to be armed to the teeth and carrying such magic?"

Looking to the rest of the party for an explanation, hand inadvertently close to his sword, it was Roan that spoke quickly.

"He is my son, half human, half dwarf, the result of my love for a pretty dwarven lady. However it seems that in breeding our two races were not as compatible as her and I had hoped, she died in his birthing. His age in truth is that of 17 let not his features fool you for he is an asset to us all and the love of mine as a proud father."

With another look at Ulthok, Seph accepted the potion and combined with the other healing freely given found himself once more fully healed. He stood quietly as the others of the party pondered their present situation.

"I'm not too familiar with this place, but we must have been out for a while. Assuming that the Dark King's army was not completely destroyed, it would have taken a while to get here." From Rayne gazing around at the dead and destroyed.

"I see no more movement. Were they fighting by your side? Bearing a similar coat of arms? Provide some guidance and we can delay a bit to see if any other good men survive." This from Lothor as he begin to search the fallen for any brethren of Seph's. However it was Sirene that brought them all back to the matter at hand.

"We will talk of Drimmen Dreeve later," the icy tone in her voice struck through all talk of when and how. "Of that I promise you, we will. For now, look to the skies. Guardians from the castle approach. What do you know of what comes to face us. Are they friend or foe? Speak now, man!"

Looking to the sky Seph was quick to respond.

"I believe them to be friends my lady, the wizard companions of Allanan to be exact they ride upon dragons of good."

Within a few minutes of Seph speaking one of the dragons, a large bronze, was landing as the other two circled above them. Upon its back rode a female human, clad in no armor only riding leathers, yet radiating a clear aura of magic around her. Sitting in the saddle she made no move to dismount, instead addressing the eight people before her.

"I am the wizard warrior Baptist, third in rank to our leader Allanan. Though I recognize the coat of arms of Tyr on you sir paladin, I know not any of you. State who you are and why such a large number of you remain living in this field of death."..................

"What manner of child are you to be armed to the teeth and carrying such magic?"
Seth Looked to the rest of the party for an explanation, his hand inadvertently close to his sword.

Roan that spoke quickly, "He is my son, half human, half dwarf, the result of my love for a pretty dwarven lady. However it seems that in breeding our two races were not as compatible as her and I had hoped, she died in his birthing. His age in truth is that of 17 let not his features fool you for he is an asset to us all and the love of mine as a proud father."
With another look at Ulthok, Seph accepted the potion and combined with the other healing freely given found himself once more fully healed. He stood quietly as the others of the party pondered their present situation.

Ulthok stepped back from the paladin and turning he gave Roan a devilish smile, "Thank you Pappa."

The accepting of him as a half breed youth could make him less suspicious. It was a part he had player before when caught where he shouldn't have been. But why did he have to say Dwarv, Cor will not let him live this down.

Shortly Sirene pointing toward the castle, "We will talk of Drimmen Dreeve later, of that I promise you, we will. For now, look to the skies. Guardians from the castle approach. What do you know of what comes to face us. Are they friend or foe? Speak now, man!"
Looking to the sky Seph was quick to respond.

"I believe them to be friends my lady, the wizard companions of Allanan to be exact they ride upon dragons of good."
"The wizard companions of Allanan?" thought the Mage.
The party had just rescued the daughter of this famed Wizard and retrieved the sword of evil for her to destroy. The battle of Allanan and his companions on Good Dragons has happened in the time before Halflings even existed. He knew Roan's act was now even more helpful.

Soon a large bronze dragon landed while two others circled above them. Upon its back rode a female human, clad in riding leathers, radiating a clear aura of magic around her. She made no move to dismount, instead addressing the eight people before her.

"I am the wizard warrior Baptist, third in rank to our leader Allanan. Though I recognize the coat of arms of Tyr on you sir paladin, I know not any of you. State who you are and why such a large number of you remain living in this field of death."
Putting on his best child's face Ulthok started to speak excitedly, "Wow,Allanan,really? ,..Wizard warriors,. All that magic,.Golly that could explain things. We must have got caught between magic spells,..when we came to we had been teleport to those buildings and the battle was over. We seem to have lost some memories too, but we did find Mister Seth,he was really hurt and we helped him,,did we win???? Is the battle over?.... Maybe we can help, ".

Looking over to Roan, "Pappa,we can help now..right?..... Mister Seth we can others too,Mister Cor..we can help now too, right???" The halfing step over to Roan's side and smiled up at him sweetly.

Cor looked at Ulthok. "Must have been a really ugly human to produce the likes of that one with a fine dwarven lass." Cor laughed. "Yes we can help child, now mind your manners and play with yer toys while the grownups talk." Cor winked at Ulthok.

"Biptiste, well met. I am Lord Cor Trollhammer; knight-cleric of Odin. We seem to be at a loss as ta how exactly we came to be not only here but now. If ye would be so kind lass as ta take us to Allanon we might be able ta make some sense out of the current situation."

While the dragon flew towards their position, Lothor continued his search for survivors bearing the paladins coat of arms. Actually, he'd have settled for any survivors, period. Whatever this battle had been, calling it a victory for anyone was a mistake.

As the dragon approached, Lothor used his search to move a little away from the rest of the group and off to the side. He was willing to believe that the incoming dragon was likely friendly, but one could ever be sure with dragons and certainly not with anyone in a battlefield situation. How would he have felt if a group of armed strangers were found wandering his battlefield - and spying on his castle? Exactly like this dragon-rider might. And so, since there were bodies enough to search through everywhere, the big warrior used his quest to move himself a bit away. The goal was to not leave the entire party in a space covered by one big breath and perhaps even allow him to flank the creature when it landed. He wasn't hostile, just prepared.

When the beast landed and its rider spoke, Lothor allowed the others to speak. He thought the ruse with Ulthok a bit odd - whatever the Halfling was, he was no child. But let them play their game. He would hold his tongue and his position. If an appropriate opportunity arose, he would do the sad task of informing the paladin that his search had found no survivors, but quite a few of his fellow paladins were among the dead. The bronze was a beautiful beast, and bronze a beautiful color to find on a dragon.

(Assuming on that last part about no survivors, but it seemed likely to be the result.)

Rayne was surprised by the fact that Seph seemed to have no recollection of halflings. Almost everyone would be aware of halflings existence. Unless...

As Roan quickly responded to SephRayne looked around at the battlefield that surrounded her. Was this an additional battle after the one at Craggian Core? Or was it some battle from another time?

Shortly Sirene pointing toward the castle, "We will talk of Drimmen Dreeve later, of that I promise you, we will. For now, look to the skies. Guardians from the castle approach. What do you know of what comes to face us. Are they friend or foe? Speak now, man!"
This drew Rayne's attention back from thought. Readying her sword and buckler, Rayne was ready for a fight. Once again, Rayne wished her bow was still usable; however, she was not about to be undefended. Seph quickly responded to Sirene.

"I believe them to be friends my lady, the wizard companions of Allanan to be exact they ride upon dragons of good."
Allanan? Rayne recalled assisting his daughter find the Steel Maiden. It had been over 1000 years before that Allanan had defeated Karza. Had they really travelled that far back in time? That blast with the gems must have been extremely powerful.

One of the warriors introduced herself as Baptist, and was the third in charge after Allanan. Rayne quickly put her weapons away. No point in antagonizing Baptist. Or the Dragons.

The Dragons were indeed magnificent. Rayne watched the ones still circling in the sky above them. Cor and Roan both seemed to have things handled with Baptist, but Rayne kept listening, in case she needed to add something herself.

"I am the wizard warrior Baptist, third in rank to our leader Allanan. Though I recognize the coat of arms of Tyr on you sir paladin, I know not any of you. State who you are and why such a large number of you remain living in this field of death."

Seph bowed his head, before speaking. "Baptist, I know not where these people hail from, but they saved my life." He looked at the group around him before continuing. "If there are no objections from you, I request that I be allowed to travel with them." The paladin took a step back and bowed his head again as he finished.

With her query burning the air, the young paladin shifted his sight to the skies.

"I believe them to be friends, my lady." he replied, returning his gaze to her. "The wizard companions of Allanan to be exact. They ride upon dragons of good."

Siréne silently mouthed the name. Allanan. If the wizard king sat upon Drimmen Dreeve, then somehow they had danced back through millenia to another age. Elves had long memories that reached far back through the ages, and the faerie folk even longer. Still, it was daunting to wander through a time when her own mother might be drawing her first breaths. Such things were unnatural, and Siréne shuddered in thought.

Yet there was little time for contemplation of their chronal leap. Soon buffeting winds heralded the arrival of the winged guardians. Dust flew about and her black mane whipped in the wind as a great bronze dragon landed before them. Magic emanated from the great beast in waves to be matched by its human rider. She sat regally upon her sat and regarded each of them with a fierce gaze.

"I am the wizard warrior Baptist, third in rank to our leader Allanan. Though I recognize the coat of arms of Tyr on you, sir paladin, I know not any of you. State who you are and why such a large number of you remain living in this field of death."

The woman's voice boomed around them, and Siréne felt her own mantle of serenity wrap around her. As she moved to return the woman's haughtiness with a regal reply of her own, the others quickly jumped in. True to form, Ulthok was the first to act, spinning a tale, that despite its intended subterfuge, revealed far too much of who they were. She silently cursed the trusting impulsivity of mortals. Still what was done, was done, and there was not to do but continue their course. Innocence in the end, might lead them where they were needed.

Resigning herself to their unknown path, Siréne stepped forward to stand beside Cor as the aging cleric bid their case to stand before Allanan. Once again, all was in the hands of the Goddess.

"I am the wizard warrior Baptist, third in rank to our leader Allanan. Though I recognize the coat of arms of Tyr on you sir paladin, I know not any of you. State who you are and why such a large number of you remain living in this field of death."..................

"Baptist, well met. I am Lord Cor Trollhammer; knight-cleric of Odin. We seem to be at a loss as ta how exactly we came to be not only here but now. If ye would be so kind lass as ta take us to Allanan we might be able ta make some sense out of the current situation."

"I fear you have arrived too late Lord Cor for our leader Allanan has left on a most important task. However I can transport you upon these dragons back to the fort where you may tell your full tale before the Wizard Librarian Bannix, Allanan's second. He is more of the books then the fight and is more learned in the nature of things"

This last though sounding sarcastic the party could tell was not meant as such as Baptist signaled the other dragons to land. Within minutes all were loaded and headed to the large fortress. From the air the group could see the scale of the aftermath from the battle beneath them. The number of bodies from both good and evil armies were such that no history book could impart the scale of what had happened here. Finally the group as a whole realized that yes someway somehow they had traveled back 1200+ years.

Within a short flight the party found themselves within the fortress walls, as they unloaded Baptist once more turned to them

"I know you must want to speak to the Librarian right away but it is clear that you must be tired and possibly hungry. Please follow this squire as I seek out Bannix and he will lead you to a place of rest and food"

With a nod of his head he moved away through a small door into the castle itself. The squire gaining the parties attention moved in front and proceeded to move through a bigger door. Quickly the party found themselves in a modest yet still large dinning area with cooks and other men of arms, female servants, and civilians, both adults and children, already gathered to eat.

As the party entered they found themselves the topic of some attention, if it was their manner of dress or Ulthok loaded with weapons it was a 50-50 choice. As the party received their food and found a place to sit Ulthok found himself the center of the attention of a growing crowd of children.

"Hi my name is Jaime, Kelly, Pud, Derrack, Gisale, Brady, Therian, Heb,",,,,,,,,,,,,
"What is your name?",,,,.
"How old are you?",,,,,
"Are you human?, Dwarf?, mutated Elf? Are you a half & half?",,,..
"Wow you have so much stuff",..
"Why do you carry weapons?",,..
"Why are you wearing adult clothes?,,..
"Where do you live? Is it still there? How far is it?",,,,,,,,,.

However in what seemed like hours but was only a few handfuls of minutes the children were ushered away by their parents or the servants and Ulthok was finally able to eat the food upon his plate. Though not the best in truth, the stew, bread, and ale nonetheless was to him and the rest the best tasting they had, had in what seemed like days. Finally the eight members of the group for once were able to relax and as the hall slowly emptied they found two of their number, Roan and Aliya, had fallen asleep beside the other almost as if by chance brother and sister.

However the relaxation only lasted a short 60 minutes before the squire was back and leading them to a large room. Entering the party found there were 3 guards, a Human and two Elf's, Baptist and an older yet regal looking man in a robe of tan. As the man looked up his eyes went suddenly white, a feeling of magic over the party was felt, but caused no harm. Within moments his eyes were back to their normal shade and he was issuing commands.

"Guards leave us now, Baptist stay."

As the guards left the room, none of the three clearly happy, Baptist herself looked to the regal man in mild confusion. With the guards finally gone the robe dressed man spoke his eyes once more changing color this time to gray. The feeling of magic, this time different, could be felt by each member of the group,

"You are not of this time. Strange teleport magic hangs about you, You come from another time. Who are you, why have you come, and from when, past or future?"..............

(DM Post: Ok a new post by me and good posts by everyone. Read on and hopefully enjoy.
Next post next week )

Cor ate though he did not really taste the food. His mind was on what had been said, Allanon was gone on a quest. He must be hiding the sword. In short order the group was taken to see the librarian.

"Sir, we are indeed from another time, the future. Best we can tell we are 1,200 years in our past. In our time we were given a quest to save Trilogy and that task was linked to what is happening in your time. We were to find the Iron Maiden, the sword Allanon is even now hiding, and destroy it. His daughter assisted us. We know not if we failed or succeeded in our task. But we must assume we failed and do what we can here to change the past to preserve the future. Is there any way to take us to Allanon?"

Events seemed to blur, as they mounted the dragons. the fort, people, food all seemed to draw the energy from her. though it was welcome more the memory of the dark fortress which seemed like a haunting memory.

Alyia upon entering the great hall being met with so many people found herself gravitating towards Roan keeping to someone familiar.

Awoken Alyia flustardly mumbled an apology to Roan, an rose to followed the squire.

Alyia looked about the room, the three guards did little to draw her gaze. which stood transfixed on the regal man in tan robes. Unable to keep from staring at the man's eyes which seemed to captivated her.

Alyia watched his eyes turn white as a sad smile crossed her face she did not shut out the wave of magic which washed over the group.

"Guards leave us now, Baptist stay."
Alyia watched the guards leave disgruntled to be shooed out like pet dogs to leave their master with armed strangers.

As the man's eyes shifted an changed to gray, Alyia wondered to herself if her eyes changed when she used magic? She'd never thought to look in a mirror when casting, though that could cause issues in an of itself minding where you were focussing. Alyia wondered if she would be able to learn from the wizards here, to become stronger. would the magic be different, more arcane? someone had mentioned a Library, books. would they have books of magic their? All of the thought of learning drew her back into a memory of learning at her grandfathers side. Before the feeling of sadness could take hold, Alyia's mind was snapped back to present.

"You are not of this time. Strange teleport magic hangs about you, You come from another time. Who are you, why have you come, and from when, past or future?"..............
Alyia started when Cor spoke up.