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[Itannar]

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Archwarden Itannar would not have been more surprised if he had seen a ghost appear before him. In fact, that was what his first impression was, in seeing Lord Thrax, in the flesh, enter his office in Alderglen. His firm belief that Thrax had been murdered and his body disposed of by his twin brother, Thraxas, vanished instantly.

"Greetings Archwarden Itannar. It has been a long time," Thrax greeted him kindly.

Itannar, still somewhat stunned, simply nodded and offered his former nemesis a seat opposite him at his desk. "Aye, it has. I had given you up for dead."

Thrax sat down and crossed his leg. "For all intents and purposes, I have been."

"Where have you been all this time?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Besides, I prefer to keep that my own business for now, if you don't mind?"

The Archwarden, still very untrusting of the man, nodded. "Whatever pleases you. Does your brother know you are back?" (He assumed the rest of Thraxas' tale about his brother's disappearance was true: that he had went in search of his family and somehow perished in the effort).

"Not yet. I came to see you first. We are not, historically speaking, the best of friends, admittedly, but I do know you are a man I can trust completely and that is just what I need right now."

The compliment, coming from one so normally nefarious, did not faze the aged half-elf who knew him all too well. "Say on."

Thrax smiled. "I have a document here that I want you to hold in safe-keeping. Do not read it; keep it sealed. Open and read it only in the event of my sudden and untimely death. Do not let anyone know that you have it; keep it safely tucked away." He then placed a sealed envelope on the desk.

Itannar slid it over toward himself and tucked it away in a fold of his robe. "You expect to die soon?"

"Possibly."

"I cannot imagine anyone who might want to see you dead, m'lord," Itannar quipped wryly. "So sudden back from your long absence leastways."

Thrax uncrossed his leg and stood up. "I like the humor. It becomes you," he stated, smiling. He turned to leave but then stopped, half-turning. "Oh, and congratulations on the new job. Was it luck or did my brother find your soft spot?"

"To be perfectly blunt: it's none of your business, but I will say that he returned these lands to me and has allowed me to build the Academy besides. Seems like a rather nice fellow if you ask me... compared to some, that is."

Thrax wheeled about thunderstruck. "These lands... yours?!! Alderglen?!"

Itannar nodded and smiled. "Yes, all mine once more. And I advise you not to get any ideas. He and I are on good terms and he signed the deed over to me."

Thrax's face went suddenly livid. He snorted once and stormed out of the office.

Itannar raised a brow as he watched from a window as Thrax exited the building and began walking toward the Academy which lay within a stone's throw of his office. "Now there goes trouble," he muttered.
_________________
-The bonds of fellowship are forged in the flames of adversity-

[Itannar]

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Thrax did not find his nemesis at the Academy. He did find a measure of satisfaction, however. His own dream was now a clear reality: the four-story gold-stone edifice that stood before him was lavishly stocked but a tad under-staffed. He met one of the cooks, a man named Thaldan, on the second floor. Thaldan stopped his floor sweeping to talk when he saw the stranger approach. "Sorry sir, cafeteria isn't open right now. In fact, neither is the school," he stated.

"I am not interested in food! I am looking for the master of this place, Lord "Regent" Thraxas. Where is he?"

Thaldan shook his head. "He ain't here. He doesn't live here anymore. Only drops by sometimes to talk to Lord Itannar whose office is..."

"I know where his office is," Thrax interrupted, impatiently. "Where can I find Lord Thraxas?" he asked, trying hard to contain his growing ire.

Thaldan scowled briefly at the stranger's rudeness. "I guess you aren't from around here, are ye? We don't normally talk that way to people we don't even know, ya know? If ye want help, I suggest ye change your tone, friend."

Thrax grit his teeth but controlled his anger enough to force his expression into mellowness. "I am sorry, but I must find him. This is life or death."

The servant's own expression calmed somewhat. "Oh? Well, he lives in the big castle on Trammel, east of Yew."

"I know where it is. Thank you." Thrax exited in haste.

"Anytime," Thaldan replied as he returned to his sweeping.

* * * * * * * *

The decor of Covenant Castle had changed drastically since he saw it last. The assorted red and black banners and curtains made it clear to him that the minion of Oggaroth was now master of it. A wisp of dark smoke rose from atop the center keep, an area he could see was lined with hedges and dark stone, save for a single statue of his brother, the arms of which reached for the sky in the "all praise me" posture, a favorite of narcissists and megalomaniacs worldwide. Thrax wondered what his brother wanted to keep hidden from view up there, but had his ideas.

The barkeep, Jarvis, informed him that the Lord Regent was indeed here and that the second floor was his office suite. Thrax ascended the stairs and entered that room. Thraxas sat at a large table, upon a replica of Lord British's throne, busily scanning a small stack of documents. "Welcome home, brother," he said, quite calmly, without looking up.

Thrax moved closer to him, removed his cape and hat and sat down upon a stone chair without be invited. "Is that all I get after being away for so long? A mere, hello?"

Thraxas finally looked up at him. "Aye, and consider yourself fortunate that it isn't more. I could finish the job I started right now, so don't push it."

Thrax nodded. "No doubt. But I advise against anything so hasty. I have laid my plans well in the few days that I have been back." The impassivity of his brother's face told him nothing of his mind. Thrax knew this was a gamble, a calculated risk that could suddenly go badly awry. He had to choose his words very carefully.

Leaning back in his chair, Thraxas observed his brother. "You look well. I see your "holiday" did you good. How was the trip and how did you find your way home?"

"Never mind that. There is no need for games. Let's just say I'm back and leave it at that. I'm back, and I'm very jealous. I've heard you have stolen all of my dreams and hard work in the meantime. I expect some sort of dividend, stipend, if you like, for it."

Thraxas chuckled. "I recall how, not too long ago, you and I sat together in another office, and it was I who demanded a share of the wealth. You dispensed a little, not enough, but you did not turn me away out of hand. I suppose I can also afford to be gracious. What is it you want?"

"I know I cannot have nor take back what you have stolen from me. The Archwarden Itannar has my ancestral lands now, you have the title I sought, my family is gone, I am broke and destitute. Your revenge is complete."

Thraxas nodded. "Such is life," he stated. "But I am not without mercy, despite what I am. I am in a position to help you, certainly, and I must. How would it look for a man as wealthy as I am to reject his own brother and leave him in rags? For reputation's sake, I have not that luxury."

"I want a villa in Yew, a monthly pension, and recognition as a citizen and a noble. I may also run for some office should that come available. For my part, I will keep out of sight, in "retirement" as it were, keep my mouth shut and make no trouble for you. My story will fit what you have told everyone. Are these requests acceptable?"

"They are acceptable... but listen to me," he said leaning over slightly, his manner and bearing becoming frightfully and suddenly ominous. "Do not renege' on this deal! If I discover that you are scheming behind my back, it will all end, do you hear? I have the King's favor and I am sure he still despises you, plus my standing within the Protectorate is not to be dismissed. I have an new friend in Tokuno whose blades never fail to find their mark and can excise any cancerous growth within my realm should I suggest it. I will not hesitate to invoke the indulgence of any of these allies to make short work of you should it be necessary. Is this all clear to you?"

Thrax, unperturbed, nodded approvingly. "I swear I will abide by my stated terms. I realize all is lost for me and I must start over with new dreams. It is not easy for me to do this, but I am a realist above all else. Yet I ask one more thing."

"Your family?"

"Yes. What became of them?"

"Your wife disappeared and took your daughter with her. Your son Anduril may still live. He remained my hostage until his own disappearance recently. I had him, under guard, studying at the Lycaeum but it has been attacked by orcs. In the confusion he fled or was killed or taken captive. I have searched for him with my usual thoroughness, but he cannot be found." He paused to let that sink in. "What do you intend to do?"

"My wife never sought to find me?"

"She guessed that I was not you and perhaps what I am, and disappeared one day. I assume she figured I had killed you."

"She did not even try to find me," Thrax stated. "It has been seven years I am told since my disappearance. I will assume she is dead then and get on with my life," he said, wistfully. "I will search for Anduril."

Thraxas rose and opened a small, odd-looking gilded chest to rummage inside it.

"Strange design, that," Thrax commented.

"It is one of the Gargish constructs," Thraxas replied absently. He withdrew a bag filled with coins and gems, three bars of gold and set them on the table in front of his twin. "Here. There is enough there to buy a villa and get you started. I shall set your pension at two hundred thousand per month."

"So generous!" Thrax remarked, a bit surprised.

Thraxas returned to his seat. "Just keep your part of the bargain and we will do fine."

Thrax rose. "One last thing, brother. Why did you not kill me when you had the chance? Why risk my return?"

The devil twin smiled. "It felt like I would have been killing myself. Besides, what is life without adventure, and enemies that keep your wits keen and your mind focused?"

"I could not have said that better myself. Good bye, brother. I will contact you when I have found a place in Yew." He bowed slightly and left the room.

Thraxas sat for a moment, lost in thought, then returned to his work.
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-The bonds of fellowship are forged in the flames of adversity-

[Erinyes Feuri]

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The Shadows in the room shift unhappily sliding like dark silk across the floor. The evening sun wanes giving way to darkness, emptiness.

In the moonlights banishment she forms, her dark silken hair and eyes burning red giving way to pale skin. Her thoughts selfishly twisting inward.

She was Daemon, She was abhorrent, in an attractive form. A smile curled her lips and the earth shook softly beneath her feet cracking and swallowing her up to spit her out in some other spot in Sosaria. She had only just begun to eat thier knowledge.

The ground opened again spitting the shadow Daemon once more forth near an old dusty library in a valley. Mmmmm more books for me to consume like souls....

Soft laughter floated lazily thru the air.