"I passed by this drug store." Sibyl answered.  "And when I saw the windows broken, I decided to investigate. I found those on the floor. I looked for Nerva, but he wasnt there."

They looked at each other.

"Bugger" Altair spoke.  "But where could he be?"

"Wealthow?" Theodoric turned to the Priestess.

Wealthow couldnt answer. She twirled Nervas Mighty Staff in her hand, her brows knitted together in a frown. Where could he be? She knew he wouldnt just leave like that; it was well below his pride. Nerva couldnt have run off, could it? She thought very highly of Izludians, and she knew they wont do anything low like this.

"Wealthow we must do something." Altair spoke urgently.  "We have to find Nerva!"

"Wealthow!" said Signy.

She looked up.  "I thinkthat Nerva has been kidnapped."

A shocked silence fell among the other members of Firnheild.

"What?!?" Signy raised her eyebrows.  "Kidnapped?"

"Preposterous!" said Theodoric.  "But who could do such a horrendous thing?"

Sibyl showed them a very long and fine needle. Signy, who had the sharpest eyes, still had to come close to see it properly.

"What is that, Sibyl?" Wealthow asked.

"This is the finest Morroc Needle." Sibyl explained.  "Only we Assassins can possess it, since it requires a special license for purchase and ownership from the Assassin Guild of Morroc. Its used by being submerged into poison or sleeping draughts. You just prick an artery in the neck to see the effects. Its the perfect kidnapping tool."

Wealthow could not suppress a gasp. This was her worst fear come to life. She gritted her teeth. Why did Geffen discriminate her child so much? Did it matter if Nerva alThor had Izludian blood in his veins? Wasnt it everyones right to fulfill their dreams?

"Bugger, but who could do this?!?" Altair shook his head.  "We need Nerva so much now!"

"We must go to Geffen." Wealthow decided.  "Now."

Signy blinked.  "What? Geffen, the City of Magic?"

Wealthow spun around and started to fumble with her pockets for a Blue Gemstone. But Theodoric stepped up, grabbing her arm.

"Let go of me, Theodoric!" said Wealthow.  "Or else I shall use Lex Divina on you!"

"Never mind." Theodoric replied defiantly.  "Think, Wealthow! You cannot just pull out of this task King Tristriam has set on us, do you understand? We need to have his permission first! Why are you going to Geffen so suddenly? What the hell is going on? Dont you think its time for us to know whats going on? You are keeping us in the dark."

Wealthow snatched her arm away. She sighed deeply.

"The Shadow is a creature of alchemy and sorcery." She began.  "It was given its life in Geffen. Lothair the High Elder created the Shadow for a single purpose: to kill Nerva alThor."

"What?" Altair whispered, his hammer dropping to the ground.  "What?!?"

"I still dont know where it began." Wealthow continued.  "But perhaps it was envy. Or maybe hate. Nerva is too bright and too great to remain unnoticed. He attracted followers from all around Midgard, but never really wanting it."

"I remember!" said Signy.  "One-half of my guildsmen are also members of The Children, a guild set-up by Nervas most devout followers!"

"Knights in Izlude all know his name." Theodoric added.  "And even though Sir Tiberius doesnt want to admit it, hes proud of his firstborn son! Nerva is the first non-Geffenese to have achieved the title of Premier Wizard!"

"Buggereven with my fine weaponry Ive never achieved that kind of fame!" Altair exclaimed.

"What happened next?" Sibyl turned to Wealthow.

"Lothair probably knew he couldnt just kill Nerva. It will arouse riots all over Midgard. Sohe searched for another wayhe came up with The Shadow." Wealthow went on.  "If The Shadow killed Nerva, nobody could blame him."

"Bugger, I get it!" said Altair, jumping up and down.  "But Isidore Crane recruited Nerva into Swastika! Nerva became even more protected!"

"So the old bastard had no choice but to kill off Swastika instead." Theodorics eyes rounded.  "And in doing so, he blamed Nerva for it! Nerva soon lost all of his glory! Its more than they could ever want, isnt it?"

Wealthow bit her lower lip.  "I wonderhow many more innocent lives shall be destroyed just because of this stupid scheme"

"Its the work of a madman!" Sibyl declared.  "That Lonky-something sure is one! Nerva isnt madhe IS!"

"And there is more to it." Signy added.  "After hes through with Nerva, hell set out to conquer Midgard with his monster. Geffen has not yet forgotten the blow it suffered from Prontera long ago. S***, he sure is mad. Mad beyond any reason."

"Bugger, what are we waiting for?" Altair punched a fist in the air.  "Lets go to Geffen right now and blow their ass off!"

"Altair, Geffen is teeming with Wizards." Sibyl snapped.  "If you dont get it, I can repeat. T-E-E-M-I-N-G."

Altair frowned and stuck his tongue out at the Assassin.

"We can take care of them!" Theodoric said.  "One Lex Divina can render them dead!"

"So were all going to Geffen?" said Signy, readying her bow.  "Im on it!"

Wealthow brought out a Blue Gemstone. She was about to open a Warp Portal for them, when they heard voices.

"HALT, LADY WEALTHOW! HALT!"

They all turned around to see twenty Pronteran cavaliers running toward them, spears in hand.

"What the hell are these guys doing here?" Theodoric blinked.

"What is it that you want?" Wealthow demanded angrily, walking to meet up with the cavaliers.  "Im doing my task! Cant you see that?"

"No, my Lady." The captain explained.  "King Tristriam has ordered us to escort you back to Prontera."

"Whoa! But our work isnt over yet!" Signy protested.  "What the hell is going on here?!"

"The King has called off this mission, Lady Wealthow." The captain spoke.  "The Byalan Incident has been solved. We wish you to come with us to Prontera to confirm this."

Theodorics jaw dropped open. Signys beautiful face creased to a frown. Wealthow was shocked.

"Solved?" she repeated.  "Solved?!?"

"Yes, my Lady. Nerva alThor"

"What about Nervy?" Altair butted in.  "What about him?"

The captain looked at the Blacksmith.  "Your Wizard companion has done us a great treason. He tried to murder the High Elder of Geffen just hours ago. Apparently he said he was tired of his double-agent role. But the High Elder managed to fend him off and report to the king. He is under custody now."

"S***!" said Signy.

There was one thing left to do. Wealthow turned to the captain.

"Take us to Prontera. And make it quick." She said.  "I may have a to play a tremendous part in this. Firnheild will bring things to light."

Sir Tiberius Thor sat ashen-faced on his chair in Tristriams court.  He couldnt believe this. Just hours ago Nerva was said to have attempted to murder Lothair, and in the process revealed everything about the Byalan Incident. His son! His pride and joy now a confirmed madman! Oh, the shame! The shame!

"I always knew Nerva cannot be trusted!" Harun Al-Rashid of Morroc slammed his fist on the table.  "And look at what he has done! We granted him a parole and now he nearly killed off Lothair!"

"But now we know him for what he really is!" Rand yll Dinn declared loudly.  "He is a threat to the whole of Midgard! We must cut off his head now!"

"What do you think of this, Tiberius?" Celestina, duchess of Glast Heim, asked.

"I dont know" Tiberius replied weakly.  "I cannot thinkmy Nerva, my son, all of this wouldnt have happened if only he became a Knight"

Celestina gave him a consoling pat on the arm.  "Come nowit isnt your fault"

Lothair stood up.  "We must kill him now! Cut off his head! Loot at what he nearly did to me!"

"I SAID, SHUT UP!" Tristriam screamed.

The doors slammed open and Firnheild entered the room, Wealthow Eyre in the lead. King Tristriam stood up and so did Sir Tiberius. The Knight went to the Priestess and knelt before her. Wealthow was shocked.

"Please tell me that Nerva didnt do this!" Sir Tiberius pleaded.  "Please, Priestess!"

"Answers will come later, Sir." Wealthow answered.  "Please go back to your seat and allow us to sort this out."

Altair moved and assisted Nervas father back to his chair. Theodoric, Signy and Sibyl prepared themselves for a great fight.

"Speak, Wealthow Eyre!" Tristriam demanded.

"Nerva did not attempt to murder Lothair." Wealthow spoke without hesitation.  "Lothair sent an Assassin to kidnap Nerva in the middle of the task to kill him in Geffen Tower."

"PREPOSTEROUS!" Lothair shouted, pointing a finger at the Priestess.  "YOU ARE A TRAITOR TO RUNE-MIDGARD! CUT OFF HER HEAD TOO!"

Wealthow lost her temper completely. Theodoric could have sworn she was scary.

"IT WAS YOUR ENTIRE FAULT!" she shouted back.  "IT WAS YOU WHO PLANNED THE MASS MURDER OF ISIDORE CRANE AND SWASTIKA! IT WAS YOU WHO CREATED THE SHADOW! IT WAS YOU WHO SET-UP ALL OF THIS, INCLUDING THE SIEGE OF PRONTERA! YOU DID ALL OF IT BECAUSE YOU COULD NOT ACCEPT THE FACT NERVA ALTHOR WAS A HELL LOT BETTER THAN YOU ARE! YOU ARE THE TRAITOR! YOU ARE SICK!"

Lothair stepped back, blinking. How on earth did this Priest find out?

All eyes were now on Wealthow. Her usually serene eyes were blazing, her face blushing. She was beyond her composure now.

"You are sick." She said in a softer voice.  "All because Nerva was Izludian and famous. Youre the one whos mad, youre a Snake! And still you push your crimes on Nerva, who remained innocent on all this years. You are sick."

Lothair stammered. He could not fall into this trap, not here, right infront of Tristriam.

"LOOK AT THIS!" he said, rounding on the shocked counts and duchess.  "NERVA HAS TRICKED EVERY SINGLE ONE OF FIRNHEILD! THEY HAVE BECOME TRAITORS, ALL OF THEM!"

Theodoric lost his temper too.

"YOU SHUT UP, YOU SON OF A BITCH!" He yelled.  "I CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND WHY YOU CAN DO SUCH A LOW THING! YOU HAVE NO BACKBONE! ALL BECAUSE OF FAME AND GLORY! AND YOU KNOW WHAT, YOURE ALSO TRYING TO CONQUER THE WHOLE OF MIDGARD AND PUT GEFFEN AS ITS HEAD, ISNT IT? WELL WHOS THE TRAITOR NOW?"

Shocked silence met his word. Lothair was trembling as he stood, looking fearfully at Firnheild.

King Tristriam looked at Lothair.  "Sit down, Lothair. Now."

The High Elder had no choice. He sat back down, his heart beating frantically. His eyes darted to the doors.

"And where is proof of thisthis preposterous incident?" Harun Al-Rashid demanded.

"All proof lies with understanding." Wealthow spoke.  "If you all give me permission, I shall tell the tale."

"Speak." King Tristriam ordered.

"It all starts with discrimination." Wealthow began.  "Lothair didnt want an Izludian to oust him from his throne in Geffen. He had to get Nerva alThor out of the way. But he could not, since Nerva was so well-protected with his followers."

Lothairs grip on his Arc Wand tightened.

"And when Isidore Crane recruited Nerva into Swastika, it made the planned murder impossible. Isidore was one of the bishops of Prontera, a powerful person both in politics and religion. So our High Elder here devised a plan. Using his wisdom in alchemy and sorcery, he created the Shadow."

A susurrus arose. Lothairs eyes darted to the door once more.

"Why did he create the Shadow?" Cassius of Alberta asked.  "If ever what you say is correct?"

"He had no choice. To kill Nerva he must finish off Swastika." Wealthow went on.  "That way, the crime would be blamed to Nerva if ever he lived, which he did. And now, obviously, he wants Firnheild out of the way too. In the jungle of Al de Baran, he has set his creature upon us. If it wasnt for Nerva alThor, we would have met Swastikas fate.

"Now he has resorted to having Nerva kidnapped so he can finish him off. Then he would say he managed to fend off Nerva and kill him. He will also say Nerva tried to murder him. That way we cannot accuse him of a crime. Afterward, when Nerva and Firnheild is out of the scene, he shall use the Shadow to conquer all of Midgard and regain Geffens lost glory with him as its head."

"THAT IS A LIE! A LIE!" Lothair shrieked, jumping to his feet. He turned to Tristriam and the others.  "YOU CANNOT POSSIBLY TAKE HER WORD AND BELIEVE IT! IT IS A DOWNRIGHT LIE!"

Nobody answered him with words. They were all looking at him.

"Is it true, Lothair?" Tristriam asked slowly  "Is it true?"

"THEN WHERE IS NERVA?" Wealthow shrieked.

Sibyl charged forward, katar ready.  "Grimtooth!"

The Grimtooth upset the table and went straight for Lothair. The elder flew out of the attacks range, his Arc Wand ready. He pointed it forward.

"Lightning Bolt!"

Sibyl dodged the Lightning bolt effectively, skidding to a halt on her knee. 

"Youll need more than just magic to hit me, old geezer." She said.  "Because Im telling you, youre one nasty liar! VENOM SPLASHER!"

The other vassals of the king screamed and jumped out of Sibyls reach. Guards immediately took the king to a safe distance, shielding him from view. Wealthow and the others moved out of the way as well, leaving Sibyl and Lothair in the middle of the room.

"Youre all going to die!" Lothair screamed.  "YOU WILL ALL GO TO HELL WITH NERVA ALTHOR!"

Sibyl narrowed her eyes.  "Yes, maybe, but youll go there first, you know. SONIC BLOW!"

"Bugger, Sibyl!" Altair declared.

Sibyl dished out hundreds of blows in the blink of an eye. All they could see was Lothair twisting like mad, drops of his blood and fragments of his robe flying in all directions. Then Sibyl jumped, spun aroundand slammed her right foot straight into the old mans face. At this, Signy played her part.

"ANKLE SNARE!"

A pair of snares erupted from nowhere and clamped both Lothairs legs in a painful grip. The Wizard screamed in pain and tried in vain to free himself.

"Now we know what you are like really." Wealthow spoke.  "You shall pay for destroying all those lives."

Lothairs grip on his Arc Wand tightened. "Oh, I am far from losing this war, Wealthow Eyre. Very far."

He exploded. The impact threw everyone flat on the floor. The explosion created a large hole in the walls. When the smoke cleared, Lothair was no longer there.

"Everybody out of the palace! Now!" Theodoric screamed at the guards.  "Take the King out of here! All of you, out!"

 The guards quickly moved to evacuate the King and his vassals. But Sir Tiberius Thor remained.

"I need you to tell me," he pleaded.  "Where is my son?"

"Please, sir, leave this place now!" Altair answered.  "Please"

"Please tell me where Nerva is!" Sir Tiberius went on.  "Please, tell me!"

"Nerva is okay." Wealthow replied.  "We shall find him. He can take care of himself. Now leave."

The guards took him away. Wealthow, Theodoric, Sibyl, Altair and Signy stood ready in the empty room. And just as they expected, The Shadow materialized out of nowhere, monstrous as before. She rose up above them like a creature of the night, spreading her wings, showing her fangs. Everywhere she reeked of death.

"Were ready for you, witch!" Altair hollered, hammer ready.  "Lets finish this right now!"

"Yeah, we still have a friend to find!" Signy said as she fitted arrows on her bow.

The Shadow threw her head back and gave an earsplitting shriek. Everyone reached up and covered their ears. Glass panes were reduced to shards, and frames slid out of their places. A black void started to form out of the monster, swallowing the whole room into nothingness.

"What the hell is going on!" Signy said, shocked.

"LEX DIVINA! LEX DIVINA!" Wealthow tried to silence the monster, but her spell would not take effect.

"Uh-oh, I dont like this!" said Altair.  "I dont like this, bugger!"

The whole courtroom was swallowed by the infinite blackness. An icy chill swept through them all.

"We shall not end like Swastika." Wealthow thought firmly.  "Never. Firnheild is not going to lose this war. Never!"

And then the blackness started to break. Like a frail glass ball it broke into pieces. But they where no longer in Prontera.

"Holy, this monsters taken us to Glast Heim!" said Theodoric in mixed alarm and amazement.

Wealthow looked around. They were in Glast Heim, standing before St. Abbeys Church. The problem was, they had even more company.

Undead surrounded them on all sides.

The Shadow smiled grimly and pointed at them. At this, the Undead leapt to attack.