The girl reached up, silenced by the beauty and majesty of the beast the Knight rode upon. She glanced along its flanks, and could not help but let out a squeak of intimidated awe. The knight's voice reached out to her again, and she was drawn to look at him, "Aside from the lure of fresh pumpkin bread, what brought you out here, young Miss? Come, let us return to the castle... you can tell me what happened over a glass of milk."

With a smile, and a "Thank you, Sir Knyght!" she grasped his hand and was pulled without effort to sit behind him on his steed. As he turned the horse around, Jet hopped from his branch to land on Fawn's shoulder. Feeling safe and comforted, Fawn closed her eyes. She was headed home, pumpkin and all. "I must admit, Sir Knyght, you startled me as I was letting my imagination get the best of me..."

"How is that Dear Maiden Fawn? "

"I thought I saw a mist of spirits in the night. They seemed to whisper a riddle to me. I am not sure of the meaning, but I do know the veil is thin and feel it was important." Fawn whispered with a knowing shiver.

The knight pulled his steed to a halt and turned, staring intently at the young woman that sat behind him. "You heard something audible??"

"I did, Sir. It was as clear as you speak and the apparitions seemed to be of three spirits that felt to be female. It reminded me of the Morrigan that took the souls of men in the wars of Old." As she thought of this, an eerie fear rose up within her once more. Just voicing this seemed to make it all the more real. They looked at each other in a silent understanding.

The steed shifted its weight in nervous anticipation as it snorted in wanting to move forward. KnyghtSkye held the beast steady with experienced hand signals that let the beast know it was not the time to go forward.

The breeze brought more sounds of the night that heightened the senses as they stood in the midst of ancient crypts and stones marking the once active, laid to rest.

But this night was not restful. The signal, to move forward, came from the nightrider with a slight movement from his foot to the flanks of his mount.

The gate to the sacred grounds was just ahead, but suddenly the Iron Gate slammed closed tightly. The riders, with wide eyes, and the steed, along with the skittish black cat, jerked to a halt as the capes rippled in the gust of wind.

The silence of the graveyard was palatable as Knyght looked over his shoulder at Fawn's ashen face. The creak of the leather in his saddle seemed abnormally loud.

A sudden WHOOSH came from the right. It zoomed around in front of the horse startling it, as it tossed its head. Fawn clutched her pumpkin with one arm and Knyght's middle with the other. Knyght reached for his sword, but only pulled it out an inch, then took a deep breath. As he began to speak, another WHOOSH from the left and zoomed under the mighty horse. it reared in instinctive retaliation.

Fawn fell helplessly to the ground. The pumpkin popped out of her grasp and rolled away. Knyght whipped his head around to see where she had gone. Another WHOOSH came straight at the horse's head and seemed to snatch its bridle lifting it up into the air.

Knyght clutched at the horse's mane and the saddle, but, in vain, could not hold on atop the beast's thrashing against this invisible source. Even with his attempts to calm his mount he tumbled to the ground near Fawn.

Together they watched agape, as the horse seemed to fly over the gate and into the darkness beyond.

Lightning flashed and Fawn saw her pumpkin had rolled to a headstone on which a gargoyle had been carved. It seemed as if it were perched to guard whoever lie beneath it.

The Gargoyle's huge stone wings were poised to take flight toward anyone who might disturb its master's resting-place.

Fawn began to stand up and retrieve her pumpkin when Knyght grabbed her arm and pulled her back down to the ground, motioning her to be silent, then pointing toward the shadow standing behind the stone.

As Knyght pulled Fawn back a little bit, the one figure became three again. "I saw these before Knyght" whispered Fawn, "They directed me to do remember a rhyme to be used at Chalandor. It seemed that everything depended upon it".

KnyghtSkye stood before Fawn, steadfast in his stance. "Who are you? What business do you have with Chalandor?" he called out.

He soon got his response. Images began to flood his mind, as well as Fawn's. They both witnessed times of past celebrations, mournings of such sadness, rituals, and families running in fear all in and around Chalandor at different points in time. He turned to look at Fawn, and noticed tears running down her face.

He went to her, asking what was wrong. "Sadness �?such sadness, but then, some of these images I just got were of my grand-mother. Oh the stories she used to tell of being a child around Chalandor, it was nice to see her again" Fawn whispered, sitting down on the ground.

At that point Knyght realized the images he'd seen were the same as what Fawn had seen, which really did not answer any questions. He stood in the direction of the three shadows and again asked what they wanted. He got different images in his head this time.

He felt the color drain from his face as he realized.... He knew what he had to do after seeing the visions in his mind. Although he wasn't sure if he could do what was needed to be done. He thought that maybe that it wouldn't be as bad as the images in his mind.

Knyght looked at Fawn one more time and wondered what she had to do with all this and why they were being shown such visions.

All of a sudden he was knocked on the ground. He raised his head up to see whom, or what had knocked him down. It was one of the shadows.

He shook his head thinking that it was impossible. Fawn didn't do it so it had to have been one of the shadows.

Slowly moving to his knees Fawn offered a hand to help him up as a crack of thunder startled both Fawn and Knyght.

It was a voice, "Stop! You must understand what we show Sir Knyght. The ghosts of the past could be the future of Chalandor if you do not heed the message we send you."

Fawn's eyes welled with tears because as she saw the fear in Knyght eyes. This was something she thought she would never see.

Knyght looked down to compose himself and find the words to reassure Fawn. He rose, his courage and strength back, he looked at Fawn and touched his sword to show her Chalandor's defender would not falter. "Fawn, we must return to Chalandor, quickly."

Calling to his steed, Thunder came to his side. Knyght took seat and pulled Fawn to his behind him. "Hold on, M’lady, a wild ride we will have in order to make haste back."

Fawn put the pumpkin between them and held on for dear life, as the horse stirred with excitement.

As they were prepared to go, the misty figure spoke again, "Sir Knyght, we gift you magick to help you on your quest"

A soft mist stretched toward them and there was a bright light. It was tiny. Both Knyght and Fawn wondered how this simple light could be of any help.

It was as if the entity could read their minds, "Don't be fooled by what you see. Delucia can do great magick. You must remember to only ask of his magick three times. Any more and chaos may ensue.

As the shadowy figure released the shimmering light, it flew toward Fawn tossing her hair and tickling her neck. Around Knyght it flew as a nagging horsefly would. Onward toward the beast’s ears, making him toss his head and flare his nostrils.

Winds began to gust, causing the leaves to move violently around them, and as quickly as the shadows appeared they were gone, leaving Knyght, Fawn and Delucia staring at each other.

Quickly Delucia led the way down the path to Chalandor. Once again Knyght told Fawn to hang on tight. With a nudge and flick of his reigns the great beast reared up and thundered down the path following the flicker of the Faery ahead of them.

As they came close they could see the glowing illumination of night torches lighting the great castle...

In the distance, the base of the castle was shrouded in a heavy mist. It was swirling as if it had a life of its own. The echoes of the animals called to them. "Watch Out, Watch out!"

It was such an eerie feeling that crept into their being. Was this an omen? Sir Knyght pulled back on the reins and quieted Thunder, his steed.

Thunder could not hold still. The Horse kept pawing at the ground as his muscles rippled beneath his skin. His whinny startled Fawn out of her trance. "We must take that next fork in the road to left" Fawn spoke not with her own voice but of someone sounding much older. Like an elder.

"Let us go, Thunder, do not be afraid." whispered Knyght with a pat to his neck. He gave Thunder a slight tap with his heel and off they went.

Fawn glanced up at the mist again and a chill throughout her body. It felt as if the ghostly vapor could see her and actually read her every emotion. "Make haste, Sir Knyght, I fear the worst. This foggy mist is not of this earth. I feel a warning deep within my bones." She spoke the last wordand found herself breaking out in a cold sweat. The dampness ran down her forehead. "Oh Sir Knyght" Fawn whispered as she leaned against him the pumpkin still securely between them.

"I am here for you my Lady and always will". His strong voice filled with a spirit of faithful determination within.

Thunder kept a steady pace that was like a lullaby in Fawns mind. The rhythmic pounding of his hooves against the dirt. She was somewhere safe, secure, with her arms around with the man that she knew would always protect her.

The horizon had just begun to lighten when the proud Gargoyles standing guard over Chalandor's Gates came into view. The solid grey stones towered above the ground, dwarfing even the forest surrounding the old castle.

The curling storm clouds that had swept in overnight had begun to dissipate; the rain had been reduced to gentle drizzle, and the smell of wet foliage swept into the nostrils at every breath. There was a fine mist in the air, and a fog had begun to writhe its way through the trees like a serpent. It was an eerie morning, made all the stranger by the utter silence that enveloped the trees... On any normal day, the birds would sing, the trees would sway, and nature would be alive...

But on this day, it was as if all life had ceased to exist...and the world had become lost in time.

These thoughts, and more, drove Knyght onward on the winding path through the trees toward their home. His gauntleted hand clutched the reins of his steed, his other hand hovered close to the sheathed broadsword at his hip. In it's pommel, a spike stuck out like a bony finger from a skeleton. Its grip and guard were of silvered steel, and accented in black... At the center of the guard, where the steel blade met the grip, a single stone shone brightly, as if with it's own Inner Light, a single brilliantly blue sapphire.

The legends told that the steel of the blade was enchanted by the Witches and magickal beings of Chalandor to be strong and unbreakable; it's needle point was ruthless in battle, and the blade answered to him and him alone when in movement. If another sought to wield it, the blade would be as heavy as an ox. Knyght's deep blue eyes swung to and fro, ready to confront......something, anything.

He sighed, and brushed a strand of dark brown hair from his face. His features were strong, and masculine.

As if cut from a polished block of marble. His skin was tanned, but fair, and beneath his armor, his body was strong. He was prepared to do what the Spirits had showed him... but he did not desire it. He shook his head, and whispered to himself. "Lord and Lady, guide me."

A soft sigh brought him back to the present. He turned halfway in Thunder's saddle, glancing down at the young maiden still clutching her pumpkin and asleep. Her feline companion lay curled on her shoulder, sleeping as well.

He let a small smile curl his lips, and turned to face forward, seeing finally the gates of Chalandor through the trees. He spurred Thunder onward, wanting to reach home. He was not prepared for what he found...

At the gated entrance that usually was always a joy to approach was half hinged, as if some unknown force had bolted through the wrought iron bars normally blocking the entrance into the cobbled street beyond to Castle Chalandor. He stopped Thunder at the disarrayed gate and glanced over to see the sparkle of light streak ahead. The sprite perched on the paw of the Gargoyle. "Delucia, do you have any idea what has happened here?"

The Faery stared sadly into Knyght's eyes and reminded him of the visions he had in the graveyard. "All is not what it seems, Sir Knyght. The veil of dimensions is faltering and there is work to be done that involves you and Fawn. You know that Fawn is the key that must be held steady and in focus...."

There was an abrupt jerk from behind Knight as Fawn roused from her half slumber with the sound of her name, and said angrily, "You speak of me, Sprite? I need to know of what you talk in these riddles. I only left but one day hence and already things have drastically changed here at my home. What is going on that I am so involved in? I did nothing but go out to get my pumpkin for my special Samhain celebration and to make the feast to honor my grandmother and all the ancients of Chalandor as I do every year. I am tired of being in a haze not knowing what is being shown to us in half vision/half dream. I demand to know what is going on!"

Her voice was impatient and full of irritation. She looked at Delucia intensely, as he climbed to the gargoyle wing and twitched his ears at being addressed in such a way by one whose magick is only now blossoming.

He knew that things go awry with scattered energies as she has so often. Her guides warned him of her spontaneous outburst and uncontrolled whims.

This one will be an interesting Charge, for sure. "Maiden, you must be ready and listen to counsel. There are things you need to prepare for. You have seen glimpses of the past ...and the future of Chalandor if things are not put right before the veil reaches its peek of crossing of the worlds and kingdoms. Chalandor will be no more and what you know will have never been."

Around the edge of the standing stone of the tattered gate sauntered the old gatekeeper. He was decrepit and leaned heavily on his walking stick as he approached the group standing in the entryway. His hair was in disarray and the silver shown in the rising sun, like a halo mangled under a dirty scarf. He looked confused, but went to greet familiar faces. "Blessed Morning to you Knyght. I see you have brought our fair princess back from her trek to the country."

He glanced at the young woman that wiggled and cuddled the pumpkin as Jet jumped to the ground. "M' Lady, I am glad you are back. It is time to break your fast. Come, Come in and shake the dirt off your cloaks."

Knyght helped Fawn to the ground and stepped down as he flipped the reins over Thunder's head to lead him. The mangled gate was still a puzzle that confused Knyght as he took a step toward the it. As he stepped forward, he felt sudden warmth at his side.

His sword of ages quivered and he knew that something was not quite right. He looked back to Fawn who was bent to place her pumpkin on the ground so she could dust and straighten her robes. They all stared as her body faded and became almost ghostly. She finished straightening herself and again picked up her pumpkin. As she touched the gourd, she became solid once more. "Let's go have some food. I know cookie has something scrumptious in the oven!"

They all looked pale at what they just witnessed as she innocently stepped inside the gate ahead of them.

The startled men were close on her heels. As Knyght reached out to touch her shoulder to be sure she was truly "solid", they entered the ruined gate.

Delucia landed on his shoulder at the same moment he hand made contact, as they were crossing the threshold of the portal to the Great Hall, between steps, an amazing sensation flickered over the three of them. The dimly lit Hall they had been entering suddenly became brightly illuminated and full of people!

Magnificent decorations hung everywhere and what seemed like nearly as many candles as there were stars in the sky, twinkled and blazed.

For a split second, the sounds seemed drawn out and slow until suddenly every musical note and voice suddenly snapped up to normal speed.

Their next steps seemed almost as if they had been pushed inside and they had to regain their balance.

Fawn rubbed her temple with her free hand and shook her head, "What was that?"

Knyght too felt slightly disoriented and whipped his head around to look at the Portal. What he saw made his stomach jump into his throat.

The large doors were intact, strong, and gleaming as if they were nearly newly made... and without the aid of what must take several men to open or close them, they had on their own ...just closed.... Securely!!!

"Delucia!" he whispered hoarsely," What goes here?!?!"

Knyght instinctively whirled around reaching for his sword. But all he found was an empty scabbard!!! His sword was GONE!!!

He looked toward the direction of the voice and saw the gatekeeper... or he looked like the gatekeeper would have if he had been healthier, stronger, and had more confidence. He had the same face, but none of the weariness of a lifetime of toil about him. His robes were fresh, and new and clean, not the grubby rags he had worn only a moment before. His arms were raised in welcome and a warm smile was on his face.

Knyght and Fawn both were in utter shock and confused.

'Welcome, welcome fair travelers! I am Au-rumel."

He smiled warmly as he placed one hand on Knyght’s shoulder, and beckoned them into the Feast with the others. "What good fortune you have arrived during our festival of the Last Harvest! Come! The day has just begun to celebrate the bountiful gifts of the Divine! I do hope you will stay a while and take advantage of this chance to give thanks and celebrate before you continue your journey!"

Both Fawn and Knyght were dumbfounded, but Delucia hiding behind Knyght's ear, yanked a lock of his hair waking him from his shock and told him in a fierce whisper, "Accept his hospitality!!! NOW!!!"

Knyght shook himself slightly and smiled back, "Thank you dear sir, my lady and I would be happy to join your festival!"

Fawn's head snapped toward Knyght with a expression that screamed, "What are you doing??"

Knyght wrapped an arm around her shoulders pulling her close to him, and whispered out the corner of his mouth, "follow my lead". Then turned toward their new host and said, "She is very tired, and weary from our journey, I wonder if there might be a place where we could freshen up?"

"Of course!... Steward! Please take our guests to the guest quarters, and see to their needs."

"Yes mi'lord." the manservant bowed slightly to Au-rumel, then turned to Knyght and Fawn and said, "This way please?"

Following the servant up the grand staircase, Fawn looked out among the throngs of people milling around below and thought some of them looked familiar, but they were dressed strangely.

She was surprised when the servant led them to the door of what she knew to be her very own chambers!

He opened the door, and when they entered she was astounded.

Everything in the room was almost the same but different. All of her personal belongings were missing!

But she held her tongue.

The steward gave them a short tour of the chamber saying, "The bathing room is through this door mi'lady, and if you should need anything, you may summon one of the staff thusly". His fingers stroked a large clear crystal mounted on the wall next to the door and it glowed green.

"If you wish to not be disturbed", he stroked it twice, and it glowed red!

It was all Fawn could do to keep from gaping, and Knyght's eyebrows nearly disappeared into his hair, but to his credit, retained his composure and said, "Thank you, that will be all"

The servant bowed slightly and left, closing the door behind him.

Knyght opened the door a crack and made sure the servant had retreated down the hallway, then closed the door and watched Fawn walk slowly around the chamber slowly looking at all the items in the room. Feeling the bedstead, the chifforobe, and the chairs. Touching them lightly as if she wasn't sure they were real. She looked at him with stunned curiosity and said,"What is going ON here???"

Knight shrugged and cautiously stroked the Crystal on the wall sconce twice, turning it a bright red indicating they needed some "private" time.

"This is *my* bed Chamber!" she exclaimed, "Or at least it was when I left last night to get this!" she held the pumpkin out and then set it on a rich green velveted chaise lounge. As soon as her fingers were removed from it, her body became transparent again. This time she noticed the change in her reflection in a looking glass hanging on the bathing room door.

"FAWN!" Delucia called out, flying frantically toward her, "Pick it back up!! Hurry!!!"

Startled, Fawn did as she was told and grabbed her pumpkin and immediately returned to solid form. "What???" she cried out, "Why do I need to hold this? It’s getting heavy!"

Landing as heavily as a Fae can on the back of the chaise, Delucia's wings seemed to slump in relief. "It's your connection to reality.... As you know it...an... an...'" he searched for the right word, "Anchor! An anchor to the world as you know it."

"What are you talking about?" said Knyght crossing the room to them? "What's going on here?" he said, "What is this 'mission', and all those visions we saw? Who are these people and why do they look like people we know, yet are strangers to us??"

"One thing at a time Sir Knyght!" scolded Delucia. "First we must protect Fawn from fading into non-existence." He turned to her and said, "Under NO circumstances are you to allow that pumpkin to separate from your skin. We'll have to do an exchange spell...watch closely"

Delucia looked her right in the eye and said caringly but sternly, "Wear it next to your heart, beneath your robes, that would be the safest! It will keep your from disappearing!"

Confused, but obedient, Fawn slipped the chain around her neck and placed the pumpkin charm inside her chemise. Holding her hands crossed over her both it and her heart she looked as frightened as her namesake could during hunting season.

Delucia stood as tall as he could and closed his eyes and concentrated. He seemed to vibrate and as he did, his wings shrank until no trace of them remained.

Fawn gasped. Knyght suddenly remembered, and clutched at his empty scabbard, "Speaking of things disappearing..."

"Indeed" said the Faery, raising an eyebrow. "That is interesting... I believe we can find out why it vanished in here," he said as he crossed over to the small bookshelf on the wall.

There were only a few books on the shelves, all fairly small, newly bound, and all with titles Fawn recognized, but she was puzzled. The books she knew with the same titles were ancient scripts kept in the Private Library downstairs because they were so large and fragile.

Delucia took down the one titled, "The History of Chalandor" and opened it to the last page.

"Oh my Goddess!" Fawn exclaimed. "This can't be true!"

"But it is, my lady," showing her the last entries, "this is the ‘latest�?volume, printed in the year 75,963 A.A. (Atlantean Age). The wheel of the year is about to begin a new cycle, Samhain, and this coming year will be 75,964. The year of the cataclysm that nearly destroyed Chalandor 10,000 years ago."

Delucia placed the book on a nearby table and turned to them both to explain. "This time and place is a sort of...fulcrum ... or crossroad in Time itself. What becomes of your Time depends on what happens here now in this Time. You have been sent back to make sure the future unfolds as it should."

All three of them jumped in their skins when there was a sudden knock at the door

"I beg your Pardon for the interruption,�?came the Steward’s voice from the other side of the door, "but Festivities are about to begin."

Knyght and Fawn managed to reply "A few more minutes please", but were still stunned over what they just learned.

"How will we know what to do?" Fawn asked, her hands constantly fluttering to make sure her new pendant was there.

Delucia answered "You just follow my lead, and do what I tell you and everything should turn out right. As for your sword, that was unexpected. I will have to do some research on that. Now, everyone is waiting for us."

Knyght paused, with his hand on the door. "Will you be joining us Delucia, in your, well, new state?" He still could not believe this was the same little Fae! Fawn nodded, adding, "Yes yes, will you?"

Delucia shook his head slightly "I do not know that yet, but you need to get moving, the servant is waiting for you."

While Knyght and Fawn were still trying to wrap their heads around this new information, they emerged from the room. The servant led them to a large hall, with a large table extending from one end to the other. Knyght and Fawn were awestruck.

The room itself was huge, but this table seemed to go on forever. Each place setting was set, food was overflowing and a name card was placed with it. Full ripe cornucopias everywhere. Roasts of all sorts scattered from one end to the other. Vegetables and breads filled the empty spaces between. At the head of the table sat Au-Rumel "Come, sit, enjoy the bounties of our Last Harvest!" he motioned to them.

They found three other place settings at the table that had their names on it. "Knyght, Fawn, and even Delucia? "

Almost as it he could hear their thoughts, Au-Rumel laughed and said "why yes, did you think I could not recognize the hum and scent of that Fae when you came in?". Just then Delucia came into the room. The state of him shocked everyone.

"Au-Rumel, so we meet again" Delucia declared, laughing a little as he took his seat at the table.

Au-Rumel looked at Delucia, "Well its about time you returned home Delucia!" As Au-Rumel walked up to where Delucia was sitting, he slapped him on the back, "How are you old friend? Why are you here?"

Delucia looked up an said, " My, Rummy old friend, you have no knowing of what is to happen. For that I am sorry. I shall not tell you a tale of what is to come as I cannot, but we are in need of your hospitality. I plead my case to you. We beg you to help in saving Chalandor. I can not tell you why, but I can say that we need your help. If you have ever called me your friend, Rummy, you will help not just myself, but these two!"

Au-Rumel took a step back, placed his hand under his chin as if thinking upon a hard thought. Just when Delucia thought he may have gone too far with his "Rummy" remark, he remembered back to a time when he had helped him with a matter close to Au-Rumel's heart.

Au-Rumel looked at him once again, "What need do you wish of me? I'm just older than I use to be, and soon to my end here at Chalandor."

Delucia looked intently at his old friend, "You have no idea how important you are to these two. Remember when your mother was taken while your father was away and we had to save her? Were those not good times? On this note, its nothing like that, but the fate of Chalandor is in your hands. I, no we need your help, my friend. Your mother would be pleased to see you help us."

Au-Rumel peered back at Delucia, "Old trick isn't it? You have used that one once before.... Remember?" He laughed and cuffed his friend in a warm gesture.

As Delucia and Au-Rumel were deep in conversation, Fawn's youthfulness was getting the best of her. She wanted nothing more then to find where the music was coming from. The "why" of how she got to this dimension of Chalandor was far from her mind.

Without even a nod to Knyght of her intentions, she slipped from her seat and started toward the sounds of the drums and holiday fare. Knyght was so intrigued with the conversation between the two elders that he did not notice Fawns departure.

As she stole across the room towards a very large archway and two golden doors decorated with vines filled with grapes and flora of every autumn color, she was taken back by the intoxicating scents. It began to make her head spin and she could not stop herself from laughing out loud from the butterflies that fluttered in her tummy. She spun and spun till she dropped to the marble floor. For a second Fawn laid on the floor with her eyes closed tight taking in all the alluring sounds and scents that filled her being.

Then a voice startled her. She open hers eyes, and tried to lift herself, but she was still a bit dizzy from spinning around in total glee. Three figures stood in front of her. They appeared too distorted to make out.

Then again that voice "Dearest, can we be of assistance, have you injured yourself?" one of the figures sounded concerned.

Fawn shook her head and tried desperately to focus. Then as quick as a spin she could see them! Her mouth dropped in surprise. There stood three beautiful women with golden long waves of sun drench hair, with braids of pearls and crystals crowning their foreheads. Their eyes were like the bluest of water ever seen and they were dressed as regally as any royalty in such finery Fawn could only vision the Goddess wearing.

All three were exactly alike, so Fawn blinked hard and focused again and yes she was seeing and thinking "OH MY, Oh My", she tried to pulled herself forward and on her feet, but the polished floor made her slip back again. As one of the beautiful women reached for Fawns hand she introduced herself, "My name is Akkakios, May I assist you?"

Fawn reach for her hand grateful for the assistance. As she did, she felt a great but familiar energy go through her and held on tighter. "Thank you Akkakios" as Fawn rose to her feet.

"Your most welcome. May I introduce my sisters, Agathangelos and Artemidoros." she gestured each in turn, "Are you here for the Feast of the Dead?" Akkakios and her sisters were quite curious about Fawn as they stared at her appearance.

Fawn smiled and was not sure how she needed to respond, but decided the natural thing was to respond with her own introduction. "Oh yes and may I introduce myself. I am Majyk Fawn, but you can call me Fawn."

Artemidoros wondered about Fawn particular dress, "Very nice to meet you, my dear. You must come from far away lands, I have never seen cloth with such design."

"Ah, uh,...." Fawn stumbled as she thought of something to say. " Yes I do...a great Isle. Not to be rude but, is there dancing and singing in this next room?" Fawn tried to change the subject as she twiddled her fingers behind her back so not to show that she was being evasive.

"Oh yes! You must come. There is much celebration in the Great Hall and if you so dare, a seer will sit with you and tell you your future." Agathangelos smiled gently and waved to the large doors and they glided open. "Come, Come let’s dance."

Just as Fawn was about to step across the threshold, she felt a tug on her cloak, "Fawn! My Lady, you must not leave my side. For how do I protect you if you have wander where I do not know." Knyght tried to be stern but could not ever be with the young Fawn.

"Then we must both venture to the party, come on, Knyght, let's have some fun!"

They both peered through the great doors to see people laughing, dancing, and singing the rooms glowed with joy. Knyght held back for a second, then he saw them, the three sisters standing inside the room as they waved them to come in. When he saw the sisters, their beauty mesmerized him. He grabbed Fawn's hand and walked towards the sisters quite abruptly.

As he approached the three, he loosened his grip on Fawn but did not take his eyes off the beauty that stood before of him.

At first Fawn was a bit angry at how Knyght handled her. She looked up at him and saw that he was hypnotized with the same recognition she had upon the first meeting of the sisters. She could only laugh, then ran off toward the music and dance, dismissing the fact that he used her to be in their presence.

When she was a few feet from him, she turned to him, "Knyght when you can pull yourself away, I'll be over here," she laughed and off she went. Knyght, cleared his throat, pardoned himself from the three beautiful Ladies and chased after Fawn.

In the meantime, Delucia and Au-Rumel were still in deep conversation. Though Delucia felt he might have stepped too far over his boundaries, he knew that Au-Rumel needed to agree to help rather than go on with his plans, so he took a deep breath, "So, can we count on you?"

"Give me time, old Sprite," Ah-Rumel chided, "You know I never make hasty decisions, I need counsel for such dealings. I shall speak with the Enlighten Ones and come to you with my answer, till then you must stay and enjoy the Harvest Festivities as your friends are now doing." Au-Rumel raised his hand toward the adjacent hall, "See, my friend."

Delucia, not interested in where Fawn or Knyght were, did not turn his head but kept his eyes on Au-Rumel, What he was trying to do was tap into his thoughts, but the man was too good for that trickery. "Fine, I will wait, but you must give me an answer soon. Time is not on our side!" Delucia lowered his eyes and lightly bowed away from Au-Rumel.

Chalandor was filled with the joy of the season. The newness of the castle mixed with all the decoration and costumes made it very hard for Fawn or Knyght to feel as though there could ever be trouble amidst the gaiety.

It was late now and Fawn was actually tiring as she slumped lazily next to KnyghtSkye. He noticed that she actually was feeling the effects of the night's mead and could not easily maneuver her legs, so Knyght pick up her frail body as she giggled, and carried her to the bedchambers.

There he placed her so gently on the large bed, covered her with the fine silken blankets so she could sleep.

She smiled with closed eyes and politely passed into slumber without resistance or worry.

He was worried about leaving her so he pulled a large chair and sat next to her while she slept. "Tomorrow little Fawn, all our answers will be met tomorrow, sleep for now."

He sighed and sat back for a long night trying to get comfortable and stretched as he let the tiredness take him to dreamland as well.

The moon was just starting to set and the cock was crowing when Fawn started to talk which startled Knyght into a waking state immediately. She was carrying on a conversation with someone in her dream-state. Knyght listened but he could not make sense of what she was saying.

Suddenly she screamed "HELP THEM, OH PLEASE HELP THEM!" Knyght could see the tears running down Fawns cheek and was at her side immediately. He tried to wake her, but it was as though she was in a trance. Knyght was baffled. As soon as he had touched the young Fawn, she had quieted; fallen deeper into her dream...vision...whatever it was.

Minutes passed.

Knyght sat by her bedside, fists underneath his chin, staring into space as he waited for Fawn to awake. Her tears had dried, and her breath came deep and slow... as if she had fallen asleep, but he knew otherwise. His mind roiled.

"Why are we here...?", he asked himself, "And how did this occur?" He could think of no way to explain the sudden change Chalandor had undergone. Just days ago, he had sat to supp in the Castle's Great Hall, enjoying the minstrel's music and the fabulous food Chalandor's cooks had prepared. He had met with friends he'd known since birth, and spoken with the Witches of Chalandor, providing the reports he'd prepared during his Patrols around Chalandor's lands. Everything had seemed normal...as normal as could be.

"What happened?", he asked with a frustrated sigh, pushing himself to his feet. His hand dropped to his hip, where the scabbard for StarScream, the magickal blade created specifically for him, typically sat. Loss of his blade was the loss of a close companion, a part of himself. His heart burned anew with irritation.

With a start, Knyght realized he was not alone.

Turning about and dropping into a fighting stance, his hands strong as granite, he scanned the room, prepared to do battle to protect him and the young girl. He took a step forward. He heard a whisper of movement...

A whisper reached his ears: "Good Sir KnyghtSkye, welcome to our Castle..."

Knyght spun about, searching for the source of the voice. He found nothing, and yet it's whisper continued, as if directly behind him.

"Sir Knyght, be not afraid... The young woman you travel with holds the key to this Kingdom's survival...and it is up to you to see it through. Do as you've been instructed.... You must."

The final two words echoed all around him, like a tune just out of hearing. "You must.... You Must...You Must...Must..."

Knyght's eyes were as steel. He responded in kind, his voice a razor's edge... He did not seek out violence, but he would not shun it either. "What you ask of me is impossible... If I must betray my Code, I would rather die... I will not do as you ask."

The voices stopped.

Silence reigned, and all Knyght could do was turn in circles, hunting for a response...a sign.... something. He was bewildered.

At that moment, the Castle's very walls shook.

A drumbeat, the sound of War Drums, pounded a ravenous tune. It seemed to echo all around him, and could not be stilled regardless of how he tried to shut it out.

KnyghtSkye, Defender of the Magick Kingdom of Chalandor, realized his refusal was useless.

It had begun.

It had to be stopped.

Knyght stood there, dressed simply in a white undershirt and riding breaches. His muscles were taught, his body strong, hardened from battles fought and won. Never had he thought he would be called to battle in his own home...and yet Knyght knew he could do nothing else.

He moved quickly. He was sure of his steps, and quick in action. He crossed the room to the bed where the young girl still lay, and placed a hand just above her heart, over her breast.

His eyes closed, and his lips whispered a spell of protection over the girl, his eyes opening just in time to see a soft violet shell envelop her. Then, certain as he could be she would be safe, Knyght turned and picked up what little he could of his armor, looking at it, and knowing it would not stand against the Magicks of the very Witches that had created it. He laid the blackened steel aside.

Glancing about for a suitable defensive weapon, he spied something sparkling upon the fireplace's bare mantle piece. Curious, he crossed the room and took in what he saw. The drums had ceased...silence overtook him.

The blue crystal sparkled at him, winking at him, as if in greeting. The silver chain that it connected to was bright and interwoven in intricate knots, as if Elves had crafted it. The Jewel looked remarkably like the one StarScream held in its hilt's pommel.

She could barely remember what had transpired and as she cleared her aching head, she realized this was her room ...but not really her room. The memory of the dream bothered her and she questioned whether she was still dreaming or if she had really passed through some kind of portal into another world.

With the veil being so thin, she could not discount that possibility. She rose and looked around the room taking in all the things that were now so unfamiliar. Some things she recognized, but now seemed to sport newness about them that she once thought was so ancient.

As she looked further, she approached the small writing table with the journal Delucia had pointed out to her last evening. As she turned the leaves of parchment she could not believe this was the same ancient volume that graced the library in her own time. Grandmother had always been after her to read it, but it was such boring stuff ... back then ... or as she now knew, was things that have not happened yet.

Oh, how she wished she really had read it rather than just pretending to so it appeased adult queries. She did remember that the Sword that KnyghtSkye carried had been forged in a battle of some importance. Another story she only half listened to as a child when the legends of Chalandor were talked of. "If I ever get back to my time, I will soooooo listen and read more! I know how important things are NOW...." she sighed as she scolded herself,

What can I find to figure out what I am supposed to do? I figure these people are oblivious of what the problem could be that she was sent here to fix. She scanned the pages and read things that she had not heard of. The pagans of this land were brutally murdered and accused of many things that seemed so natural and simple acts of love and survival by Fawn's standards.

So many of those things she took for granted in her life.

There were wars and battles going on constantly in this time period, according to the entries written here. This, she decided, was like an editorial or diary, of sorts, to keep a log of things that were happening.

Chalandor, she knew, was built as a refuge by a group of Atlantean descendants that had survived by leaving the land before the quake that took it into the abyss. They came here still having their vast scientific knowledge and people looked at them, in this new land, with fear since they could not understand the simple natural forces.

In their fear, they accused them of sorcery and evil magick of all kinds. The Atlanteans were blamed for every thing that came into the land from famine to simple colds, even though this had nothing to do with anything they practiced. In fact these people helped the locals, so much, by curing many of the plagues and creating the simplest things by using energy transfer.

She read on to find out that Au-rumel is one of the Council of Seven that came from the White Temples of Atlantis. As she continued she read the entries:

This had to be it! Au-Rumel was going to do something with these master crystals to change Chalandor... It was becoming clearer. As Fawn closed the book, she started to pace..."What can I do...What am I going to do to help...." She suddenly stopped and recited aloud, as if her memory was shouting....

The Chant of the Spirits! What does it mean? I need to find Delucia!!!"

With that, Fawn did not wait for anyone to show her the way. She knew these halls. She was raised in them. She knew where Delucia would, surely, be and she left the chamber to go to the Gardens of Chalandor.

The sun was dawning as the rays colored the sky over Chalandor's eastern horizon. This, she knew was where the graveyard lay which was once a mighty battleground. Wait...maybe that battle has not happened yet...at any rate, the gardens were in front of her and she walked the slightly familiar path although the scenery had a much different feel about it, many of the statues were the same.

A few missing, probably not created yet, but her favorite lay ahead behind the hedge. She could see the mighty wings rise into the sun as it gleamed through the golden scales. She looked around, not seeing Delucia, but yearning to visit the dragon who guarded the mausoleum that held so many of her ancestors.

As she approached the statue, she realized it seemed much newer and the stone, on which it perched, had a door, half opened, beneath the mighty beast. Its jeweled eyes peered motionless at her.

She had never seen the mausoleum within, but had spent endless childhood hours climbing on the mammoth dragon that had been her playmate so many times. Fawn's taunting of her ever curious adventurous spirit had to forge ahead to see what lie inside the mysterious crypt. She asked the Goddess for protection as she stopped and looked at the Dragon's stare. "Seek the Eyes of Stone, and you will be shown, the doorway to your quest." haunted her mind anew. "OH My Goddess!!!!!!" Could it be this simple?" Fawn thought almost aloud.

"Where is she going?" asked Knyght.

"That is the tomb of her ancestral line... most would think she goes to honor them, after all it is Samhain...." Delucia speculated but noticed Fawn paused and looked startled. He nodded nonchalantly toward the mausoleum with an eyebrow raised and patted Knyght's arm suggesting, "... but considering our circumstances, I think we had better "honor" them as well."

Knyght looked toward the open door of the tomb intensely for a moment, and knew Delucia was uncomfortably correct.

Trying to walk casually, and respectfully, as quickly as they could among the other visitors in the graveyard, the two began to climb the steps to the portal when they felt a rumbling beneath their feet.

The grating sound of stone against stone met their ears.

The doors to the mausoleum were closing!!!!!

They ran up the stairs but by the time they got to the doors, they had boomed shut and they could hear a distant sound inside of iron crashing and chains rattling.

Knyght pounded on the door and pushed and threw his body against the door.

"FAWN!!!", he shouted. "FAWN!!!!!!!!"

People began to gather asking what was amiss.

Delucia tried to divert them, saying Knyght was displaying uncontrolled grief for the loss of a close friend buried inside, that he was a stranger in this land, and that where he came from his actions were normal. Delucia agreed with the on lookers that it was an unfortunate and unseemly custom, but they were friends, so he tolerated it.

Knyght continued to try to find a way to open the gate, in vain.

After the onlookers went on about their business shaking their heads sadly, Delucia returned to the doorway to the mausoleum and took him by the arms and said," I know, but you have GOT to be more discrete! You KNOW what is at stake!"

Knyght hung his head, his face flushed with embarrassment, he ventured a look up to the rest of the graveyard and saw everyone had more or less moved on. He nodded. "You're right. My apologies, I can find no way to open this door. It must be sealed from within. I know it cannot have been Fawn's doing. Is there something you can do?" Knyght pleaded.

"Are you asking for my magickal help? You know you can only ask thrice."

"Fawn could be in danger, please."

"Very well." Delucia felt at the seam of the door and indeed noticed a draft leaking between the stones. "Stand back."

Knyght retreated a ways and watched as Delucia began to vibrate. He continued faster and faster until it seemed his very molecules became unhinged and the breeze of the draft sucked each one inside the mausoleum through the small crack.

Seconds passed like hours as Knyght tried to remain calm.

Suddenly the entire seam of the passageway glowed bright yellow and the muffled sound of metal clashing against stone came from within.

Slowly the door inched open and Knyght began to push as well. Delucia motioned him to hurry and come inside as soon as a space wide enough for Knyght to enter was open. Then together they closed the door.

A small blue ball of light floated above them. Knyght assumed it was Delucia's magick.

"We must be very quiet. For if this leads where I am afraid it will we could all be in peril." Delucia whispered to the light and it zoomed off downward into the darkness.

Laying a hand on Knyght's chest, he said, "Stay close to the wall, and watch your steps... wait...." Delucia felt a bulge under Knyght's tunic, "What’s this?"

Knyght grasped the sapphire that he had found in Fawn's room and had put around his neck for safe keeping until he could ask Delucia about it.

Knyght explained how he came by it and when he pulled it out of his tunic it dazzled with brightness lighting up the entire entryway.

Wide-eyed and astonished Knyght did not resist when Delucia hurriedly jammed it back down Knyght's collar. "Guard that with your life. Only you can use it and you will know when and how to use it when the time comes."

They carefully began to descend the stairs when the blue light returned and whispered to Delucia. "Follow her... She's found Fawn."

"Who is it?" asked Knyght.

"A......................a Friend. I'll explain later." said Delucia.

After what seemed like a dozen levels down, they found Fawn, crouched looking though a small keyhole. A light from the other side of the door washing over her face as bright as the noonday’s sun.

"Fawn!" Knyght whispered intensely," What is going on?"

Fawn turned her head and motioned them to be silent and come closer, to look for themselves.

Delucia looked first and slowly moved back so Knyght could see.

"I was afraid of this."

"What is he doing?" asked Fawn

Knyght peered through the opening and could not believe what his eyes beheld.

He looked at Delucia, afraid of the answer he might receive, but asked anyway, "What in the name of all that is sacred, is happening?"

As Delucia unveiled the information regarding the discussion Au-Rumel and he had had earlier Fawn and Knyght were in utter shock.

"This is Au-rumel's laboratory. To protect Chalandor from increasing and dangerous attacks from outlying villages and the army they were building, Au-Rumel had decided to encase all of Chalandor in a Shielding bubble. One that would remove it from time and space, to continue in a world between worlds, permanently by using ancient Atlantean crystal technology and magick. Au-Rumel had asked for his fairy magick help to achieve this goal by locating the final crystal needed to complete his formula. If he succeeds, Chalandor will never exist again in this plain of existence."

Fawn's mouth dropped open. So did Knyght's.

This was why they were here, to stop Au-rumel from succeeding �?but how?

"What did you tell him?" asked Fawn.

"I told him I would consider it. I had to buy time."

"What Crystal is he looking for?" asked Knyght.

"A sapphire named NUN-el." As Delucia whispered the Gemstone's name Knyght's tunic became full of light, and the blue ball of light above spun in excitement.

Delucia looked at Knyght’s chest, and then in Knyght’s eyes meaningfully and said, and YOU have found her." Tapping the crystal beneath Knyght’s tunic.

Just then a voice behind them asked, "May we help you?"

Afraid of looking back, Delucia and Knyght looked at each other. They could see the fear rising in each other’s eyes. Fawn was still peeping thru the keyhole in amazement.

"Can we assist you in anyway?" said the three in unison.

Knyght, Delucia and Fawn slowly turned around and saw three beautiful Elven women. They were apparently different ages. One a child, the other a young lady, and the last an older woman that had wisdom in her eyes and on her lips.

"We, w-w-w-we, were just coming down here to worship our ancestors and to pay homage to them, when the door behind us shut" stuttered Knyght. (Which wasn't very much like Knyght at all)

"We mean no harm." chimed in Fawn. Looking deep into the Elven eyes.

"No matter." the Elven women said as they danced around Fawn, Delucia and Knyght. They softly sang a song. "Come these three to find their path, come these three with no wrath, come these three to our doors, should we or not see them home. Come with us, deeper with in, hear the secrets silently now. Walk with us from this door, and hear the stories of afore..." the three Elven woman each escorted the friends down further into the darkness.

"Shhhh!" said the older elf, holding a finger to her lips. "We do not want the Wizard to hear us, now come!"

Oh it was so hard for Fawn not to say a word after seeing what she had seen and Knyght too. Delucia was in her own world thinking of things that could be done. They went down, down deeper into the tunnel, and they came upon a little room where there was a family of elves waiting for them. They were going to help protect Chalandor and its inhabitants as well. "It is all apart of the plan from long before you were born my dear Fawn" "You, are a big piece of the puzzle and of the past and present" "Now, please sit down all and let us talk." Said the older elf gesturing to large pillows on the floor.

All at once Fawn and Knyght's heads were filled with voices, yet no one was speaking out loud. So many voices speaking over themselves in words that did not seem to make sense. Fawn placed her hands over her ears to try and quiet them down until she could not take anymore.

"Slow down please I cannot understand anything you are saying" Fawn cried out. At once, the din of voices turned into one single voice, clearly reciting a history of Chalandor, past, present and future.

She looked around the circle, trying to figure out who was speaking to her. They all seemed to be listening to someone, but that someone did not seem to be there with them.

Knyght broke his silence. "Why do they speak to us without words?" he asked in a hushed tone.

"That's exactly why fair Knyght" replied the older Elf, "it was taught to us, to pass down the secrets so that others who would not understand would not be scared. In time that merged into a way of speaking to those who also have passed, so that they are always with us. Now it is so that the Wizard can not hear us. If he can not hear us, he can not locate us."

At that moment the blue glow under Knyght shirt began to grow brighter. The middle Elf reached across the room without moving, and freed the gem from its clothing restraint.

The voices from within all whispered at once "NUN-el has returned"

Some appeared frightened by this, some appeared overjoyed. A large book seemingly materialized before them with the story of the gems, and their names. They were all highly magickal items, scattered over time and space in order for their full potential to never fall into the wrong hands.

One of the frightened elves spoke up. "If NUN-el is here, he will find it!"

"Silence! Now is not the time for panic, we must put our thoughts together to protect NUN-el." The eldest spoke sternly bringing order back.

Knyght look down a the glowing stone bringing his hand to cover it over, but the stone began to vibrate becoming stronger lifting from his chest as if being called.

The Elf ran towards Knyght, "We mustn't allow this to happen, Hurry! Think before it's too late."

Knyght put his hand around the stone and pushed it back to cover, thinking to himself, "Could I put a protection spell around me to bring barrier to those that would be searching for NUN-el."

"It wouldn't hurt, DO IT! Anything, right now, would be better then being found!" the tiniest of the group spoke staring at Knyght.

Just as Knyght was about to do his best to shield, the eldest Elf walked towards him and brought her feeble hands toward the crystal, "KnyghtSkye, this is something we need to do as a group, it is much more then one can do.: She turned to the group and motioned them to gather, "Come everyone, let us make a circle, in our chambers below, and we will combine our magick to shield NUN-el. It will take all you have because the wizard is strong and will find the smallest of cracks to find his way."

They all proceeded to a lower level into a vast cavern where The Elven King was waiting. Knyght stood in the middle holding the crystal tightly as he watched, the shadowy figures gather around him. The Elder called to Fawn to join the circle. In the darkness of the room, they called upon those who will protect to come to their aid.

Slowly from every part of the great room spheres of bright lights moved sporadically around the room until they found their way toward each of the elves. Settling into their post above each Elf. All was ready.

The Elder took one more glance around then raised her hands high, "We meet tonight to protect NUN-el. Great Ancestors, Mighty Goddesses and Gods, We meet to call upon your wisdom and strength. Welcome!

Tonight the ancestors are close at hand, right here with us, watching all we do. May they guide and help us in this work. Ancestors, be welcome!"

All: "Ancestors, be welcome!"

Elder: "Tonight, the Goddesses and Gods, draw close, ready to help protect, Be welcome!"

All: "Déithe be welcome!"

Elder: "The spirits of nature are all around us, ready to observe and aid our work. We ask their help in protecting NUN-el, to keep it safe from harm. Spirits of the Land, be welcome!"

All: "Spirits of the Land, be welcome!"

Elder: "Tonight, the Ancestors, Gods and Spirits draw close. We offer them our hospitality, and thank them for their friendship."

All: "Blessed Be"

Elder: " We open and connect with the Three Realms, sacred to our Ancestor and sacred to us now. They are the powers by which our ancestors swore their oaths, the powers that make up this world and the Otherworld:

The earth: talam

The sky: nem

And the sea: muir

The three realms are ever present, but as we connect with them more deeply, we open our awareness and move into sacred space. We call them now: "the blue sky, the beautiful sea, the present earth."

All: "We call you Sky, Sea and Earth."

Elder: "We stand on sacred ground, the sky above our heads; the sacred sea, whether near or far, surrounds us."

All: "Blessed Be"

Elders: "Feel the earth beneath your feet, strong, deep, dark. Reach down and feel her strength joining with ours, may the Ancestors be with us now, in peace, honor and cooperation."

All: "Blessed Be"

Elders: "Feel the sky above our heads. Endless source of inspiration, home of the sun, moon and stars, source and center of all the winds. Reach up and feel the power of the sky, flowing down through us into the earth, beginning to join the realms within us."

All: "Blessed Be"

Elders: "As we become aware of the sacred earth and sky blending within us, feel the blood in our bodies, the water in our cells. The water in our bodies links us to the primal sea, the source of all life."

"Out at the edges of the land, at the boundaries of the continent, we are surrounded by the eternal sea. The waters flow beneath the land, and we can pull their energy up from the earth into our bodies, and send it up to the sky, where it travels as clouds and rains down again to the sea, a circuit of energy in which we stand at the center. We are at the center of the worlds."

All: "Blessed Be"

Elder: "When the three realms come together, in the center, we find the way to the Otherworld. In the center, the doorway opens, and expands out around us."

All: "Aaaaaaaaah.... Chalandor..."

Elders: "The sacred center connects us to all places and all times. Chalandor is the sacred center, and we call to her now."

All: "Chalandor..."

Elder: "See the center opening - the metaphysical center, overlapping with the physical and metaphysical Land of Chalandor- connecting all of us, all over the planet, who are doing this ritual together...."

All: "Chalandor..."

Elder: " Now, we are all connected, with Chalandor at the center."

Mighty land of many names,
The pleasant hazel-wood

The fertile field of grain.
The hill of the sovereigns, The hill of the tribes.
We honor you.
Chalandor, Seat of Kings and Queens,
Chalandor, heart of the people.
Chalandor, heart of the land.

We light the signal fires of old, and call upon your wisdom and strength, protect now one of your great ones NUN-el."

All: "Chalandor"

Elder: "We call upon you protect now."

All: "Chalandor"

Elder: "From the time of the early ancestors, Chalandor, has been the center. The center of the land, the ritual and mystical center of the lost people.

Our ancestors took in the fire of other lands and brought it to Chalandor. Every one of us standing here tonight has a spark of that sacred fire within us. Tonight, we make the choice to build that fire again. Tonight, we will build the fire of protection for NUN-el."

ALL: "We stand with Chalandor"

Elder: I invoke the land of Chalandor,
Much-coursed be the fertile sea,
Fertile be the fruit-strewn mountain,
Fruit-strewn be the showery wood,
Showery be the river of waterfalls,
Of waterfalls be the lake of deep pools,
Deep-pooled be the hill-top wall,
A well of tribes be the assembly,
An assembly of the tribes be Chalandor,
Chalandor be the hill of the tribes,
The tribes of the descendents of Atlantis,
Of Atlantis of the ships, the barks!
Let the lofty bark be Chalandor,
Lofty land, darkly sung,

The great cunning of the people,

The great Lady of Chalandor,

I invoke the land of Chalandor!

All: "Blessed Be"

Elder: "Great Grandmother,

Noble person,

Spark of Wisdom,

High-minded lady,

The Living One of life.

Fire of wisdom, fire of protection, we call upon you now, to protect NUN-el.

The sacred center shines the light of protection, as she did for our ancestors. NUN-el will now be protected.

ALL: "Blessed Be"

Elder: "Thank you all for attending this ritual, for working together to protect NUN-el. May there be peace between us now and always. We thank you.

ALL: "We thank you."

So it was done, NUN-el was protected for the moment, but who would know how strong the protection would be against the great wizard, Ah-Rumel.

As the Elves surrounded Knyght, and the ritual was finished, the lights above them began to move Deosil above the circle. The cone of power the elves had risen began to take form with the lights.

They all watched as the lights swirled faster and faster pointing toward the ceiling of the cavern.

Suddenly whooshing upward they engulfed a stalactite hanging from the ceiling and it began to throb with light and power.

Suddenly the brightest light of all filled the entire cavern and as they watched the stalactite begin to change shape and slowly descend toward Knyght.

It stopped and hovered in front of him until the glow of it faded and they discovered it had been transformed into a magnificent sword.

Knyght stared at in amazement. He hesitantly raised his hand to touch the pommel and as his fingers barely touched the grip, everyone’s ears were filled with the song of the sword.

He understood the sword was giving him permission to take it and did so. Nun-el glowed brightly against his chest.

As everyone was absorbed in the awe of what had just transpired, Delucia’s gentle voice seemed to ground them all abruptly.

The rest of his people, he asked to wait nearby in case trouble should ensue.

With a grasping of arms and pats of shoulders, Knyght and the King led the group of 13 upward to Au-rumel’s Laboratory.

Knyght was wary �?things were too quiet.

They arrived at the door. Knyght grabbed the Elven King’s wrist just before he could open the door and put pressed his fingers to his lips to signal "Quiet"

Knyght bent down to peer through the keyhole once again. The lights inside were dimmer.

All seemed still. He could not spy Au-rumel anywhere.

Holding his breath he wrapped his hand around the handle on the door. Tensed against the sound of a possible alarm.

The latch clicked softly in response to his turning and the door began to open. It creaked and he stopped its progress. The King pulled a vial from his pouch and poured delicious, woodsy smelling oil on the hinges.

Knyght slowly continued to pull open the door relieved to his core that it moved silently.

He slowly entered, sweeping the room with his eyes, and motioned the rest to follow.

They stepped quietly toward the center where the five of Sacred Crystals floated under a gigantic diamond suspended above them.

Knyght was getting nervous. A project of this importance would logically be protected somehow, but nothing had happened.

The elves gently removed the stones from the air�? And nothing happened.

The elves gently laid the beautiful stones on the floor. A Ruby, a Clear Crystal Ball, an Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, and a swirling ring of Silver lay side by side. Knyght laid his sapphire, Nun-el, along side them. Delucia approached them. He assumed a steady stance and began to vibrate.

They began to glow. An illuminated mist the same color of each gem began to rise from each of the stones and assumed a transparent form. Each of their ‘faces�?were beautiful and seemed to hold the wisdom of the ages in their eyes.

As Fawn watched, her gaze was transfixed on the clear crystal ball. Her memory tickled the back of her brain. She couldn’t concentrate though, she was bothered by a increasing warmth behind her, warming her back until it was becoming uncomfortable.

She tore her eyes away from the transformation of the stones and turned to see what was generating so much heat and found herself nearly nose to nose with a fair sized dragon.

She screamed and the entire room erupted in chaos.

There was no warning.

Knyght had been awed by the transformation the stones had undergone. His senses were alert, and his guard had not lowered, for their enemy could come at any time. His back had been to Fawn, and his hand had been set on his blade, ready to draw.

At the shrill sound of her scream, Knyght spun around, the familiar-yet-not feel of his old companion leaping into his hand without thought. It took all of his will to not take a step in reverse.

The dragon rose...

It was a deep, bloody crimson from the tip of its snout to the tip of it's tail. Its underbelly was a gentle orange, and even as Knyght was powering himself into motion, he could not help but release the color reminded him, oddly enough, of a pumpkin.

Ignoring the chaos ensuing behind him, Knyght threw himself forward and wrapped his arms around Fawn's midsection, lifting her bodily from the floor and moving, quick as a panther, away from the gigantic lizard. He shouted at her as he deposited her behind a table on a heap, "Stay down!".

He turned, and immediately wished he had worn his armor. He stared up into the dragon's dead, soulless eyes, and raised his blade...

The fight began.

The dragon's roar shook the very earth they stood upon. It pierced the eardrums like a white-hot needle, and brought an almost animalistic terror to the warrior's heart. He ignored the elves behind him as they scrambled for order.

He ignored Delucia, off to one side, standing protectively before the newly embodied Elders. He charged with a scream, as if to echo the Dragon and match it's ferocity.

The first blow came when the dragon swung it's tail. Knyght managed to leap above it, but a table littered with laboratory instruments was shattered, it's adornments scattered into shards of glass. The dragon gave another roar, and Knyght continued forward, his free hand held out, palm open. With a word, a blast of energy struck the dragon in its soft underbelly, and Knyght used the momentary distraction to leap onto the dragon's tail, bringing his blade down. He felt a jar as the razor sharp edge bit and hacked through the lizard's scales, and narrowly avoided a jet of steaming gore as it splashed from the wound.

Throwing himself into a roll, Knyght narrowly avoided a thunderous claw as it swept down to flatten him. As he rolled, StarScream bit deeply into a single talon, lopping it off. Knyght returned to his feet, and gave a feral grin, Centered in balance, he heard the dragon roar its pain.

The fight became a lethal dance. Knyght parried strike after strike from the dragon's talons as they came down to rend him. The dragon's tail was powerful, and it's thrashing bulk Knyght avoided.

In the few blows that were exchanged, stones were ripped from the walls and pillars, their shattered remains lethal projectiles. A single shard buried itself in Knyght's shoulder, and the pain was enough to drop him to a knee.

He heard the deep rumbled intake of breath, and knew what was next to come. His eyes rose, and watched as the dragon lifted its head to the sky and it's chest expanded. The heat in the room grew, and the sweat already kneading on Knyght's brow intensified. He knew what was next to come.

The Warrior reached up with a free hand, pulled the jagged shard from his wound, and threw it toward the dragon's head, imparting a magickal speed and force into it's rotation as the dragon lowered it's head, liquid fire in it's jaws. The dragon opened its maw.

The shard buried itself in the Dragon's throat.

There was a cry unlike anything Knyght had heard before. The roar was surprised...confused.....pained.

Knyght pushed himself to his feet with a growl and charged the beast. He leaped.

StarScream's point found its mark.

Knyght dropped almost thirty feet to the ground, empty handed, and rolled to avoid the gargantuan carcass as it fell. The dragon landed with such an earthquake it shook dirt from the ceiling, and dropped the remaining elves that stood to their backs.

StarScream was imbedded deep in the Dragon's left eye, piercing into its brain. Blood seeped from the wound, heating the magickal blade but not melting it as it would a normal weapon.

Knyght rose to his feet. He ignored the blood soaking his shoulder. Ignored the commotion that still ensued behind him. Ignored everything...

He stared at the slain dragon with a strange sense of sadness. "Such a beautiful beast...and no more..." he thought. Raising his hand palm open toward his sword, the blade leaped from the wound it had made and returned to his palm as if drawn by an unseen tether. It was cool to the touch, and Knyght wiped the blade on the hem of his tunic and sheathed it. He turned, and began to piece together what had happened to his companions.

In the meantime, up in his study, Au-Rumel sat looking over the final configurations and calculations as he compared the timing with the astrological alignments of the night sky. The castle was unusually silent and he rubbed his temple as an odd ache pounded inside his head.

He had an important night ahead as he tried to figure how to make his plan work without the sapphire, Nan-el. He leaned back in retrospect of his long life and all he would be missing and leaving behind. He sighed in knowing the fate that was coming, to keep his kingdom safe from the things that only seemed to be building.

He knew the world would eventually destroy the witches of Chalandor and the sacred beliefs he held so dear. He wished, in vain, that the countrymen could see what their hate of his people was causing.

He jolted at a sudden feeling of horror jumping into his mind. "Reg'Dir!!" He immediately felt his familiar. The pain shot through him as nothing he ever felt before. He did not even think, as he stumbled over his chair and sent books, parchments and ink flying over the room.

He knew he had to get to the lower chamber. Something was very wrong. He could not control the tears that flowed down his ancient cheeks. They mingled with sweat filling the ripples of wrinkles that once formed when he laughed and into his silver beard.

He had a million questions forming and the fear that the important plans to save Chalandor was failing. He knew his dragon was fighting something to defend his master's work as he was sworn to do.

The old man ran through the halls, high in the top of the castle toward, he knew not what, but he must get to his familiar's rescue or all would be for naught. He would give his life for Chalandor and all that Atlantis once stood for.

Knyght looked at the shocked faces that peeped out from behind their hiding places as the echoes of the dragon’s death throes died away.

Somewhere a large piece of debris from the battle fell and crashed to the floor, startling them all back to their senses.

They all whipped their heads around to look at the machine and the crystals floating above their heads. It was amazingly still intact.

The sight of the crystal ball and the slain beast jolted the rhyme from Fawns memory.

Once you've passed, see a ball of glass,

Fawn looked pleadingly at the majestic woman whose eyes held wisdom beyond imagining. She reached out for Knyght and Delucia who joined her and also bowed to the Mystic. Fawn held her friend’s hands tightly and told the great Lady about what was going on and why they were there, and why Delucia had wakened them. All the Mystics listened intensely. She bowed her head again and gazed into the crystal ball beneath the Mystic and looked deeply inside it and asked her of their needs.

The Mystics, Cry-El-o-el, Ru-Bast-el, Lazawardel, NUN-el, Vert-el, Argen-tel-m gathered their heads together in a short conference. No words were heard, only the high pitched, small hum heard sometimes when a crystal emits its energy. They moved apart and Cry-El-o-el smiled gently at Fawn, and said, "We have a solution." Each of the Mystics pointed a finger toward the machine where their crystals had been and there appeared nearly exact duplicates of their own crystals.

Cry-El-o-el turned back to Fawn and the others and explained. "These crystals have the power to protect, but lack the ability out take Chalandor out of this realm."

Everyone emitted a huge sigh of relief. The fake crystals looked so much like the originals, Au-rumel would never know the difference until it was too late.

"You must return the lab to its former condition to perfect the deception, and you must make haste, Au-rumel is coming."

The Elven King snapped his fingers and all the warriors began to work their magick and before you could say "Oh my Goddess!" The lab looked as it did when they first entered, except for the slain dragon.

The Mystics all smiled and dissolved back into the colored mists that matched their crystals and returned to them. Fawn gathered them up and put all but Nun-el in the pouch of the Elven King for safekeeping.

She felt compelled to returned Nun-El’s crystal to Knyght.

Knyght looked deep into Fawn’s eyes and understood.

Just as he tucked the crystal in his tunic, Au-rumel burst through the door.

Au-rumel was stunned at first and then shouted, "What is the meaning of this!?!?! What are you doing in here!?!?!" Then he saw his familiar, Reg'Dir, lying in a heap, dead on the floor.

"NOOOOOOOOOO!!! What have you DONE???" Au-rumel flew at Knyght grabbing him by the throat. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE????"

The warrior Elves and Delucia jumped on Au-rumel to pull him off Knyght.

When they had him restrained Knyght was rubbing his throat and said hoarsely, "Nothing we didn’t have to do."

Au-rumel looked angrily at Delucia, knowing Delucia knew of his plans and then at the machine.

Au-rumel broke free suddenly and lunged for the control panel.

Delucia and the elves tried to wrestle him away and in the confusion the main switch was thrown. Lights beamed into the crystals and then into the diamond above it.

"NO!! NO!" Cried Au-rumel, "I am the Golden Crystal, it must have ALL of the seven crystals to work! I must be a part of it!" and he tried to throw himself into the light beams of the machine, but could not escape the grip of the Elves.

The machine began to shudder out of balance. Things began to go terribly wrong. Forks of lightening shot out from the machine and everyone ducked for cover.

With a determined look on her face she blended her essence with Knyght’s body and took control. Knyght knew he must let her to save them all.

Knyght’s body with Nun-el in charge flew across the lab and pulled his sword and pierced the control panel. Beams of white-hot energy shot out in all directions.

One of the energy beams blasted Fawn in the chest where her pumpkin charm hung over her heart and she fell lifeless to the floor.

The back blast from the sword’s strike threw Knyght across the room, but Nun-el remained holding the sword in place because the energy from the machine was making her body solid flesh, and she drove the sword deeper into the machine.

The full power of the huge Diamond crystal imploded.

Sparks flew everywhere and then silence.

Nun-el removed the sword from the now dead machinery and went to Knyght’s unconscious form that had crumpled against the wall.

"Brave Knyght," she said as she knelt down and touched his face, "You still have work to do." and she placed the sword on his lap, and placed her other hand on his chest where her crystal lay. The energy that had made her corporeal revived him and while still holding her crystal she placed her other hand on the pommel of his sword, transferring it and her essence to it.

As her face dissipated, Knyght lifted his sword and saw Nun-el’s bright blue sapphire crystal imbedded in the pommel. The familiarity of it struck him. It was StarScream he held in his hands! His own sword from his own time 10,000 years in the future. Now he knew and fully understood the connection he had with it and the legend of how it came to be.

A short ways away Delucia held Fawn’s lifeless form as tears rolled down his cheeks trying desperately in vain to use his magick to revive her. The Elven King laid a hand on his shoulder and said, " You cannot heal the dead my friend. Come, let me take her, there are rites to perform." And Delucia let him gather Fawn in his arms.

Knyght staggered over to them, touched her face, saw the charred pumpkin charm melted into her heart, then broke into tears.

A somber retinue filed out the door of the ruined laboratory and began to climb the darkened stairway.

The Warrior elves escorted a broken and weeping Au-rumel back up to the castle and guarded him in his chambers.

The next day dawned somber and silent. An inconsolable Au-rumel wept bitterly at learning what Fawn, Knyght and Delucia had done to stop his misguided plans and preserve their timeline. The tragic cost for his mistake, the life of an innocent, was more than he could bear. His life would never be the same but he vowed that he and his line would protect Chalandor in this earthly realm forevermore.

The funeral rite for Fawn was attended by everyone in Chalandor, save for Knyght, who could not bring himself to stand at her grave. Instead he stood at the window of her chambers watching the ceremony from afar.

The Elven King had the ashes from the lab that had been embedded with the protection energy from the Mystic’s replacement crystals and made them into a gargoyle, which he placed, on the headstone of her grave.

Later that evening, Delucia tried to console Knyght, but he was completely broken hearted. Knyght asked that for the third and last time he could for Delucia’s magick, that he return him to his own time.

After taking on last look around, he turned to Delucia and said. "I’m ready."

As they exited the gates of Chalandor, nothing happened. Knyght and Delucia were still in Au-rumel’s Chalandor. Knyght looked at Delucia in confusion. Delucia smiled and patted Knyght’s arm. "All things in good time my friend."

They mounted up and began slowly to ride away. Knyght’s mind was so occupied with remembering Fawn that he was startled to find they were passing by the cemetery. He pulled his horse to a stop, and stared inside at Fawn’s resting-place.

Delucia watched quietly as Knyght dismounted and began to walk toward the gates to the cemetery.

As he passed the wrought iron portal, Delucia worked his magick. Knyght was so wrapped in his grief, he didn’t notice.

But in the blink of an eye the headstone where she lay looked suddenly ancient, and beneath it lay a fair sized pumpkin. Knyght stopped for a moment to think and by habit, put his hand on the pommel of his sword.

HIS SWORD???? He pulled it out and indeed StarScream was there! He whipped around looking for Delucia but he was nowhere to be seen. Delucia’s horse was gone too! Only Thunder stood outside the gates munching peacefully on some grass. "That mischievous little Faery!" he whispered.

He heard the bells at Chalandor peeling out the arrival of Samhain, and he looked again at Thunder�?and StarScream. He was back. They had been returned to him �?or he had been returned to them, but�?.He looked at the grave again�?. Fawn. She had not been returned, but that damned pumpkin had! What justice is there in that?

Knyght fell to his knees collapsing in tears. As he wiped them away, and opened his eyes, he could not believe what he was seeing. Where the pumpkin had been, lay Fawn curled up as if asleep!!!!

Knyght thought he was seeing things, a delusion brought on by grief. Until Jet came out from behind the headstone beneath the gargoyle and rubbed Fawn’s face and she woke up.

"Oh my Goddess!" She said sleepily, "I can’t believe I fell asleep out here! I was coming out last night to get a pumpkin for today’s festivities!"

Knyght was flabbergasted and couldn’t utter a word. He realized Fawn remembered nothing of what they had been through. She got up and ran to the pumpkin patch, grabbed a pumpkin and returned smiling asking for a ride back to the castle!

"Of course mi’lady." said Knyght still not quite understanding what is happening.

As they approach Chalandor, Knyght sees the gatekeeper who still looks remarkably like Au-rumel, which in itself was unsettling and even more so when the gatekeeper says," "Blessed Morning to you Knyght. I see you have brought our fair princess back from her trek to the country." He glanced at the young woman that wiggled and cuddled the pumpkin as Jet jumped to the ground. "M' Lady, I am glad you are back. It is time to break your fast. Come, Come in and shake the dirt off your cloaks." Just the same as he had said before.

Knyght’s heart nearly stopped when Fawn dismounted and bent to place her pumpkin on the ground so she could dust and straighten her robes�?. time seemed to freeze because he was afraid she might go transparent just like she did before�?

But she didn’t.

She finished straightening herself and again picked up her pumpkin. "Let's go have some food. I know cookie has something scrumptious in the oven!" She said with a big grin and entered the gate.

That night at the Dumb Supper, Knyght smiled secretly looking at the portraits of the ancestors of all there and seeing familiar faces of those he’d met in ancient Chalandor. The Elven King, the triplet of priestesses, even Au-rumel’s portrait was there, it must have been painted after the catastrophe. Only Knyght understood why Au-rumel’s face looked so haggard.

He closed his eyes and thanked them silently all for allowing

Chalandor to be as it was now.

He heard a small squeaky voice whisper in his ear, "Blessed Be." And looked to see a wee Delucia sitting on his shoulder. They gave each other a knowing wink.

It was indeed a Blessed Samhain.