:

Frieda and the Organized Chaos helped clean up the beach of cookie boxes, and 's wine bottles and prepared for the next aspect of their quest. Dace looked from Vaedelia to Teislyn, then from Aicha to Frieda before she spoke, "Cousin, we have no Warang, except when you were pretending to be one so that you wouldn't get arrested for being a Danhak. But then you were arrested for impersonating a Wareng and being a Danhak! What are we going to do?"

Freida asked Aicha to magick away the trash and then looked up at her group..."I'll go and pretend to be the Warang one last time. Somebody's got to do it. I may be small, but that might work out in our favor." And so it was agreed that Frieda would help Tanaka and Larianne lower the bridge whilst the rest of the group would work on entering the fortress and dealing with any challenges that might arise once inside.

Frieda gulped as she fidgeted with her gear. Her team had managed to cobble together the remnants of her Warang costume, including the mighty sword, the shield and fighting knives. But she was no warrior, she was a healer and a danhak, one who cared for the spirit, not one who fought against them. Still, she was determined to help out in any way that she could, even if it meant that she might lose her life for her friends.

She hugged all of her team, said her good-byes and cuddled Doom, her honey badger companion. “Little one, take care of my friends, make sure they get across the bridge safely. Look after little Lini and Buttercup too, they are so small.” Finally, she stood as tall as her four-foot four frame would allow, looked Tanaka square in the eyes and nodded, “I am ready.”

Aicha stopped her just as Frieda turned to go and held her shoulders firmly. “You are the most foolhardy weasel-girl I have even known. You cannot enter that fortress without some help. Klytie may be able to provide your weapons with ‘blessings’ so called, but I can provide curses.” She rubbed her palms together and runes on the back of her hands began to glow. She placed her hands on Frieda’s sword and the metal made an ominous hum, as if a thousand dragons had been summoned from their lair. “See to it that you don’t waste my efforts.” Aicha managed to give a very slight smirk to her warning, but it was quickly replaced by a sullen look of disdain. Still, Frieda took it as an encouragement and thanked the Jincara.

Frieda presented her weapons to Klytie who pronounced multiple blessings upon her swords, knives and shield, but looked exhausted afterwords, “Lady Frieda, It was most difficult to get the blessings to stick to your weapons, what with all those curses cast upon them. Next time, remember that a Warang’s weapons must be first blessed, then cursed. Otherwise it’s like painting over grease. Alas, my blessings will hold true.”

As Frieda stood and followed Tanaka and Larianne to the ferry-boat, Frieda bowed low to the ferryman, “I apologize for your discomfort, please forgive me for my childish prank.” She reached into her pocket, retrieved a small envelope and handed it to the boatman, “The photograph is here, as well as the negatives. I meant no harm, I was merely surprised and delighted and I acted impetuously. I trust that all is made right.”

The ferryman snatched the envelope and stuffed it into his pocket, but nodded and returned the bow.

“Get ready now,” Tanaka whispered, “The ride over will be treacherous.”

No sooner had the boat left the shore then the trouble started. The ferryman seemed completely nonplussed by the roil of torment that engulfed the boat as Gwishin attacked the travelers. Frieda could do nothing more then hold her sword in one paw and her shield in the other as she was buffeted from all sides by the screaming banshee-like spirits of the lake. Waving her sword at them seemed only to fend them off, but still more and more attacked until she felt that she was going to die of utter exhaustion.

They reached the fortress and Frieda and Tanaka stayed on point as Larianne ran for the lever to lower the bridge. There was a clattering and a groaning of rope, chain, weights and levers as the bridge descended from out of the mists above the fortress and thudded on the shore on the other side. Immediately, the Gwishin were roused from their rest and they started to swarm the bridge as the rest of the Organized Chaos scurried across to the fortress. Once they were safely across, the bridge began to ascend again, leaving Frieda, Tanaka and Larianne to resume the battle against the Gwishin.

Aisha, Dace, Teislyn and Vaedelia, Klytie, Junu and the others quickly assessed the puzzle of the coins and worked to solve the lock while outside, the battle heated up. Once again, the Gwishin were banished by the blessings of their weapons, but soon, a black figure rose up out of the water, a monstrous black dragon. Frieda had never seen anything like it before in her life and she was momentarily frozen. She caught the sight of Larianne to her right as she took aim with her knives and Frieda snapped out of her fear and reached for her own knives. Tanaka also had taken his weapons and stood poised, ready to strike. “Larianne, Frieda, watch out for it’s smoke, it’s poison!”

The dragon turned it’s head toward the sound of Tanaka’s voice, opened his mouth to spray Tanaka and Larianne threw her knives, striking the dragon in the throat. The dragon reared back and made a gurgling rumble in it’s throat and Tanaka struck the dragon in it’s chest, right at it’s heart, which caused the dragon to fall upon the shore, half in and half out of the water. Frieda took her sword and brought it down upon the dragon’s neck, severing it’s head. Now It would be a lie to say that she did it in one blow because Frieda is quite small. She hacked at it for ten minutes or so while Larianne and Tanaka stood by and encouraged her by leaning on each other, conversing about the weather, yawning and stealing a cuddle and a kiss when Frieda wasn't looking. But once the job was done, they gave each other a look that said ‘finally.’ gathered up their weapons and made for the entrance to the fortress.

Frieda did her best to wash the blood and dragon scales from herself and watched as the carcass of the dragon slipped into the water under it’s own dead weight. When the body had disappeared under the water, the severed head vanished in a cloud of white smoke, as if a curse had been lifted from the lake. Frieda was completely spooked by the events of the day, tucked her tail up and ran after Larianne and Tanaka to see if the others had succeeded in their mission.

Nightshade takes a backseat to all the chivalry going on, the men being over protective and the women out to prove themselves. He really couldn’t care less but one thing was for sure though, they were getting billed for this!

Once the argument got out of hand Nightshade simply got into the boat with the ferryman and kicked it off into the misty lake. He heard the groups yelling after him to “WAIT!” and “DAMNITELF!” but whatever, he was hired for a job not to listen to pointless argument made by the lovebirds back there… plus he hated sweet things…

Thankfully the changeling had already enchanted his old blade, it’s been awhile since he used the but with magical creatures of this kind he knew there was none better than his old companion.

The ferryman silently led the boat deeper into the mist and the cries of the group behind him was soon replaced by an odd wailing. It wasn’t a human wail for sure, more like that of a mad animal or the wind in a haunted forest.

He felt the first one before he saw her, felt her hand reach out and attempt to touch his back. He spun around and struck her with his blade! The blade glowed red as it touched the misty figure and Nightshade saw her for a second before she vanished.

She was a Gwishin, a spirit that refused to move on to the next world and has now gone insane. She was semitransparent, he could see the ferryman through her but not clearly, had long untamed black hair that covered most of her face and wore a white Hanbok. He suspected she was legless as the tattered dress floated in mid-air without hinting at the weight of a lower body… it was not a pleasant sight and the look on her face as the enchantment banished her was one that would haunt his dreams for weeks to come… another thing to add to that bill!

Nightshade braced himself as the pain tore through him, the blade was powerful however it drew its power from the user’s own blood, every time he swung it he felt the cuts into his skin and his life’s blood draining into it. More wailing and howling, Nightshade swore under his breath and prepared himself for the pain.

The Spirits first tried to sneak up on him, always out of the corner of his eyes. He wouldn’t see them until his blade was chopping through their wispy bodies turning them into mist. But the deeper they went into the lake the bolder the spirits got. In the end Nightshade learned to trust his instinct over his sense. The mad Spirits excelled at tricking those…

After one MASSIVE wave of spirits that seemed to attack him from every side the lake was silent again. Nightshade was pouring sweat, the Blade hadn’t been used for a while and was really thirsty but it gave as much as it took so he wouldn’t complain. It was the silence that worried him, something was coming he could feel it. Something big!

The stillness of the lake’s surface was broken by a massive two headed monster suddenly appearing right in front of their little boat. The Thing was as black as coal with eyes the shone an eerie green colour. From its nostrils green vapors could be seen.

Nightshade took out his and put it on, with a hidden smirk he looked up at the beast and said “Are you my mommy?”

The beast, devoid of mind and humor spit it’s poisonous vapors at him but Nightshade wasn’t taking any chances, he had already jumped off the little boat and was scaling the neck closest to him, taunting the other head as he did so! The second head fiercely chopped at the Elf and attempted to eat him but only succeeded in biting the first neck! The first head howled in pain and turned towards it’s other half, they appeared to bicker for a second but Nightshade wasn’t going to waste that precious second! He climbed to the top of the first head and readied himself to plunge his blade into its left eye, the second head attacked the first head when it saw this trying to defend it and bump the elf off. What it actually did was give the first head a black (blacker?) eye but it did cause Nightshade to jump down off the first head.

The first head now furious started chopping at the second while the second seemed to attempt to reason with it then fight back. The two kept bickering long enough for Nightshade to drive his sword not into one of the necks or heads but into the body of the beast itself. As the ruins activated giving the sword a creepy red glow Nightshade held on as tight as he could and dug it deeper into the beast’s flesh, allowing the sword to take as much of his blood and life force as it wanted.

The blade gave as much as it took, and both heads were howling in pain and attempting to shake of the cause of their misery. Once Nightshade was sure they’d had enough he pulled out his blade, ran across the beast’s retreating body using it as a bridge to the shore where the lever was and jumped! Wounds caused by the cursed blade can only be healed by a magic blessing, otherwise the wound would fester and rot killing its victim in time. He noted that fact as he saw the beast retreating into the bottom of the lake, wounds and all…

Now that all was well he turned his attention to the lever, it was old and rusted and Elf’s energy was spent. Nightshade used his entire body weight to move the thing and the sound of the bridge slowly drawing was the sweetest sound he’d heard all day.

Handing over her two pistols and rapier to Klytie so that they could be enchanted, the pirate looked to her giant stone companion for his reaction to the situation. Something had his attention as he stared contently at the encroaching fog and fortress. Breaking his focus by patting him on the back, "Oi Feng, don't ye git thinkin' that ye can send me flying again! Not this time! Gunna need ye to watch m'back since who knows how strong that blighted black poison spewin' grossness of a monter has in store for us..."

Getting her weapons back from Klytie, Valera thanked the Faerie as she sheathed her rapier and put her guns in their holsters under her bright red jacket.

"Right mate, let's git goin!" The pirate gestured to Feng as she strode off towards the boat and the ferryman. Val stopped dead in her tracks. The boat the ferryman rode in wasn't very large at all. There was no way it would support Feng's weight and size.

Valera glanced at her companion then back at the small boat a few times trying to come up with a quick plan. Before the viera could say anything, the lumbering stone beast started to make his way into the water.

"Feng! How is this gunna work?!" The pirate cried out as her companion marched forward with the water already at his shoulders. Without a reply of any sort, Feng continued his march and disappeared beneath the water's surface.

Feeling lost without her giant stone bodyguard, Valera took a glance back at her colleagues one last time before hopping into the boat with the others and the ferryman. As boat set off across the water, Val continued to peer over the side in hopes of seeing Feng's glowing lantern. "Ye stupid arse... What if ye get stuck down there...? How am I t'save ye?"

With no signs of Feng as he trudged through the deep waters, the pirate sighed before her attention was called elsewhere in a sudden panic. The fog got thicker as the boat slid across the dark waters, the Gwishin started to encircle the boat. The spirits had come to meet them in hopes of dragging the heroes on the boat to a watery grave. The sound of gunfire rang out as Valera took quick aim and took shots at the closest Gwishin. With a pistol in each hand, the viera took careful aim at the largest concentrated mass she assumed would be considered their chest or heads. Thanks to her weapons being enchanted she was able to temporarily subdue the ghosts.

Those who were left behind on the shore could hear the sounds of a fight in the distance. Unfortunately for them, the fog was too thick to make heads or tails of any of the action taking place. Hopefully their comrades would make it back in one piece.

"AH! What is this?!" Valera shouted promptly followed by a string of curses as she watched the previously fallen Gwishin take shape and continue their attack.

Reaching the other shore, it would seem the real fight was about to take place as a low growl could be heard from the fog. The crew on the boat were now sandwiched between the Gwishin and what one would assume is the 'Warped One". Hell of a situation to be in. The pirate quickly tried to formulate a plan in her head but it fell apart as the other passengers got off and started to make their way towards the fortress.

"You lads go, I'll wait here and buy you guys some time!" The viera waved at Tanaka as he protected Larianne from a sudden ghost attack. The Master and the others disappeared into the fog, leaving Valera at the shore to possibly deal with the black dragon monster thing.

Alone in the fog, Val's pistols rang out as she fought off the Gwishin. It seemed it was best to attack them with ranged strikes, lashing at them with a rapier didn't seem very useful at the moment.

The deep growling drew closer and was now accompanied by the sounds of heavy footsteps. It would seem that the real battle was about to begin. Cursing to herself under her breath since the Gwishin still keep continuing their onslaught, the pirate started to think that this was probably one of the worst ideas she ever made. Things would have probably ended up slightly safer in the Master's company... A cloud of purple fog filled the area to her rear, any thoughts of rejoining with the others was no longer a possibility as the poisonous cloud blocked the pirate's path.

With her attention on the poison cloud, a Gwishin caught Valera off guard as it grabbed her leg tightly and started to pull her towards the water. "SUNUVA!" Val took a quick shot at the ghost before she would lose her balance. A second Gwishin emerged from the water's edge when suddenly it was stopped by what looked like a spectral limb that reached out and grabbed it from the water. Val watched as more spectral limbs rose from the waters and latched on to all the nearby ghosts, stopping them in their tracks. ...Could it be?

A familiar stone beast marched slowly up the shore, but he looked different. Feng's eyes and lantern glowed intensely bright as he concentrated. A steely voice entered Val's mind, "...Hurry." Finally Valera came to understand what was going on, Feng was using his abilities to anchor on to all the Gwishin in the area. Usually this ability of his would be used to consume spirits and souls, but it would seem as if these ghosts were unable to be devoured and instead were stuck onto the tethers to his lantern.

"Alright! Alright!" Valera yelled running off towards the 'Warped One' as Feng did everything in his power to keep the Gwishin off his master.

The black dragon was close by along with pools of toxins and poisonous clouds. As Valera drew closer she could see its hideously disfigured body come into view through all the fog. It would seem as if the creature's skin was made of tar, that dripped from the bone structure of what once was. Sensing the pirate's presence, the Warped One turned his attention in her direction. The dragon no longer had any eyes, then again how could it when constant blobs of tar-like goo poured out from its sockets.

Val's stomach turned at the sight of the disgusting mess of a beast, the smell alone that surrounded the creature was nauseating. Pulling a handkerchief from her jacket pocket, the pirate quickly covered her nose and mouth before the intense smells and fumes got to her. By the time Valera got her handkerchief mask on, the Warped One was directly on top of her. With a quick roll to the left, she barely dodged a frontal claw swipe.

It would seem that the pirate's guns were useless against the giant creature as the bullets were absorbed in the tar like substance. Reaching for her rapier, Valera nimbly weaved and dodged around the toxic pools trying to keep enough of a distance between her and the Warped One. 'How in the seven star systems was a rapier going to do anything to the monster?!' Val thought, trying to figure out a plan of attack.

The pirate stopped and turned to face the creature to see if the enchantment on her weapon was enough to do any type of damage. Before Valera was even able to take a swing, she wasn't fast enough to dodge the sudden tail strike. Her body was sent flying from the impact and hit a nearby boulder hard. Crying out in pain as she was sure a few ribs had broken, the pirate scrambled back onto her feet. Valera didn't have the time to whine and complain about her injuries, the Warped One didn't seem like it was going to stop until it's opponent was dead.

Rolling and ducking around swipe attacks, the viera suddenly started to hear the beast chitter its bony teeth together in between moves. The Warped One was preparing for something and the pirate had no idea what to expect. Valera's rapier was utterly useless, even after piercing through the creature's blob like flesh, the goo-like substance would just cover up the area as if nothing had happened. The few times the pirate's weapon came into contact with bone, it would only bounce off barely even making a scratch.

Valera was getting worn out from her injuries as well as frustration over her inability to damage the beast. The Warped One spewed out a stream of toxic gunk at the pirate. Val barely dodged the attack but suddenly felt a horrible burning sensation on her foot. Reeling in pain, the viera fell over and took notice that she accidentally dodged right into one of the pools of sludge. The sludge was potent enough to burn through all the cloth and leather on her left foot, and left horrible burn marks on her skin.

WHAM! Val was hit by another of the beast's attacks and was tossed at the trunk of a nearby tree. The contents of the pirate's jacket was scattered around her point of impact. Trying to keep her mind on the fight, Valera suddenly had one last idea to try. She picked up a bundle of matches she bought in town earlier and her favourite flask of ale. In the back of her mind the viera prayed that all the poisons and tars were flammable.

Making her last stand, Valera stood up and called out to the Warped One; "Oi! Giant gooey... er whatevermabob! OVER HERE!"

Quickly lighting the matches she tossed them in her flask then threw it as hard and as fast as she could at the creature. BOOM! The makeshift last minute molotov cocktail, blew up right in the Warped One's face. The flames spread quickly through the area, engulfing the beast as it's own flesh caught fire. Wincing from all the pain, Valera watched and hoped her final stand enough.

The tar substance that composed the creature's flesh worked as fuel for the fire. The flames burned hotter and brighter than the pirate had ever seen. the heat from the chemical fire was hot enough to burn through the creature's bones. As the creature burned to death it wailed in pain, it's cries could be heard from afar.

Val toppled over from the loss of balance, she couldn't stand on her left foot. The smoke and the fumes from all the toxins burning up filled the area. Even with her makeshift mask to cover her face, the fumes started getting to her as she started to cough like mad.

Feng came running to his master's rescue. The pair shared a link, the stone companion could sense Valera's life slipping and hurried to her side. By the time he got there she was almost unconscious on the ground. Thankful for his arrival, with Feng's aid the pirate was able to climb on his back. Once atop her companion, Val blacked out.

By the time Feng was able to carry Valera out of the burning area, the others had managed to get the bridge lowered for those who were left behind. The members of the Chimeriad stood relieved to see their captain return, but suddenly noticed her in an unconscious and beat up state. Hopefully in time and with a little help, Val could be nursed back to health.

Finally the enchanting was done, and Jean, Tanaka, Larianne and Lappy climbed into the little boat. The ferryman poled them out into the lake, heading for the other shore. Mist quickly hid the shore behind them, and the iljimae thought she saw movement that meant they were not alone in it. It wasn’t more than a few moments after that she got her first good look at what she faced. Translucent figures, garbed in white, most with long hair. They floated in midair, but they were anything but slow. Jean adjusted her grip on her staff and swung it at the first one that came her way, the wood meeting no resistance at all as it swept through the gwishin’s midsection. This one had no face, but she could tell if it had, its expression would have contorted in pain and rage, before the ghost vanished altogether. More gwishin followed after, swarming the tiny vessel from all sides. The iljimae quickly found a rhythm, using wide, sweeping strikes as she balanced near the boat’s prow to avoid hitting the three behind her. The spirits didn’t seem to have much in the way of tactics, apparently relying on their seemingly limitless numbers, and any contact from her blessed weapon banished them. Jean was grateful that she didn’t actually have to hit them individually. There was no way she would have been able to handle so many, not at her current skill level.

The gwishin grew fewer once the far shore came into view, but Sihr warned the woman that she could sense a twisted creature up ahead. The iljimae pulled the lightly spelled cloth mask hanging around her neck up to cover her nose and mouth. “I want you two to head for the lever,” she said softly over her shoulder, whirling her staff up through the stomach of one ghost and the shoulders of a second. “We don’t need to kill the dragon, just avoid it. Leave that to me -- if I really need help, I’ll send Sihr. When I shout, close your eyes for a moment.”

The little boat’s hull brushed land, and Jean leaped ashore, unhinging her staff’s joints and looping the attached cord over her head and one shoulder so it hung out of her way. It was only a few steps before a large shape rushed at her out of the fog, greenish smoke trailing from the beast’s nostrils. “Eyes!” the iljimae cried, flinging down a flashbang as she lunged aside. The explosion of light was bright against her closed eyelids, but to the unprepared dragon, it was blinding and left the creature disoriented. Jean dashed away to give her more space to maneuver, in a different direction than the one Tanaka and Larianne had taken.

Just because it couldn’t see her at the moment didn’t mean the dragon would give her a reprieve. A green cloud spewed from its mouth and billowed outwards. It made Jean’s eyes sting, and even with the cloth over her face she could feel a burning in her lungs. The mask was not designed for magic toxins, just regular ones. That was why she’d switched the flash powder in a number of her flashbangs for charcoal and salt: both ingredients were effective against evil beings. If she could get one in the dragon’s mouth, she’d put an end to the thing’s breath weapon.

First she had to get herself a clear shot, though. The scattered trees in her chosen battleground made it harder for her opponent to maneuver and slowed it down, but Jean’s first dragon-bomb still went wide. Her second was better-aimed, and burst against the dragon’s leg, making it lash at her with its claws. The second hit, square on the beast’s snout, made it pull back and let out an angry bellow, more of the foul fumes swirling into the air. The iljimae had hoped she’d be able to lob another bomb in if she could get it to roar, but it seemed that she’d need to try a different tactic. She’d thought of another option, but it was far more risky. Then again, running around trying to avoid the dragon while it attacked with claws, jaws, and poison was hardly an improvement, Jean reflected, as she wove between trees to avoid letting the twisted creature get a good opening. And judging by the way it had plowed through several of the smaller saplings, the longer she waited the harder it was going to get.

Poised to move fast when her foe reacted, the iljimae stopped running and turned to face the dragon. It came at her in a rush, forgoing claw swipes in favor of just eating the bothersome woman whole. That gave Jean the chance she needed. She hurled a dragon-bomb in the gaping maw even as she dove aside, rolling so she would be back on her feet right away. There was a muffled fwoomp and the dragon let out an enraged roar, rearing up and tearing at the ground with its forepaws. The frills and whiskers around the lionish face trembled in fury, a number of them now stained with charcoal, but only a dwindling curl of poison gas emerged from its mouth, before that too ceased.

The battle was hardly finished, however, and Jean was already back in motion. She’d used the brief respite as the beast raged to retrieve her grappling hook and another flashbang from her satchel. If she didn’t get a chance to retrieve the device later she would be upset, and have to make enough money to replace it, but better that than to kill a creature that might be saved. By the time her opponent got over its mouth full of nasty and returned its attention to the fight, the lady was already casting the hook, aiming for the row of upright spines that ran along the length of the dragon’s back. It caught as she pulled the line tight, of course. That was part of why she liked it so much -- it nearly always caught, if there was something to catch on. Now Jean needed to really hurry. The flashbang she threw at the ground as she ran towards the beast, closing her eyes just long enough that she wouldn’t be blinded. Slide under the belly toward the front, tossing a loop of line around a raised foreclaw and quickly changing directions, letting the line play out behind her as she went. Not too loose, not too tight. She knew it wouldn’t break; the other reason it was so valuable was the special cord used. The dragon turned toward where it thought she was heading, and Jean instead dodged around a rear leg and threw a loop around its finned tail, which had coiled toward her.

Even disoriented, the dragon could hardly miss the line pulling tight, but as it turned again, seeking Jean, she was leaping for its back. Her hand grasped one of the spines, and she pulled herself up, narrowly missing losing her leg as the beast curved itself nearly double in an attempt to bite the lady that now clung to its back. Another loop of her line went around the nearest spine, and she managed to get another around one farther down before she had to hook her arm over a spine herself, to keep from being thrown off as the dragon writhed. “Sihr, flashbang,” Jean said, dropping her hand by her satchel so the faeling could hand her another from where she hid in the iljimae’s satchel. Flashbang in one hand, a couple loops of line in the other, she leaped off and away, slamming the explosive down on the dragon’s scaly back as she did. It was starting to have real trouble moving, with two legs and its tail tangled with each other and the spines on its back, and now the woman could rely on her line to help her change directions as she reached the limit and was suddenly swinging back in, wincing at the sudden jerk she felt in her shoulders in the process. Under the belly, and trap the other foreleg, then a dragon-bomb to make it flinch and she could put a loop over one of the horns and pull it tight.

Jean should have waited longer to try to secure the head, and she was pulled off her feet as the dragon reared back as much as the lines restricting it would allow. The woman yelped and nearly lost her grip. Getting herself enough line to make it to the ground was difficult, what with her opponent swinging her about like a fly-fishing lure, and the moment she did Jean dodged around the nearest large tree, anchoring her line on something that wouldn’t be so easily moved.

A few more passes and the dragon, while struggling, was no longer a serious menace. Just to be sure, the iljimae tied a solid knot to secure the last line to one of the earlier ones. Then she backed away to a safe distance and breathed a sigh of relief. By then Larianne had pulled the lever to lower the bridge, and the next part of their mission was in sight, once they rejoined the others.

After Oceahna and Klytie have made their blessings for a safe trip, as well as blessing Chook with a strong stomach, the team begin to prepare for the lowering of the bridge, Willow checking her bag for supplies, Elle looking up and making some potions in preparation, May searching for the best songs, Oceahna searching spells after doing the blessing with Klytie, the Rangers sharpening their weapons.

The warrior takes a deep breath and clambers aboard the that the ferryman has brought to the lake edge, waving to her team mates goodbye, and silently wishing them and herself good luck. She gives a grim smile to Larianne and Tanaka who were already on board and a brief pat on Lappy's head before she takes her seat at the rear of the boat. Warily she looks around but cannot see much since the dark fog is so dense. The wind has died down quite a bit so hopefully the voyage will not be too bad. The ferryman takes his pole and pushes off into the deeper water and begins the journey to cross the lake. Chook takes hold of her instrument, readying herself for whatever may happen. She knows that Gwishin or water ghosts are supposed to inhabit the lake and cannot be killed only banished by enchanted weapons, so her choice for this trip was an , (not that she believes in ghosts). The bow ensures "Your aim will always be perfect when shooting with this bow!" That can only be a good thing with the rocking and rolling of the waves and the churning of a stomach.

The vessel had not gone far when Chook began to feel a churning in her stomach. Glad that the ferryman and the others were facing away from her, she bent over the side of the boat and was violently ill. No sooner had she finished, she began to feel better. The blessing and Kronus's mixture were beginning to take effect. All would be well and she began to look forward to whatever may take place. She began studying the depth of the water which was getting deeper and deeper but the ferryman was still happily poling his way forward. "The pole must be magical," she says to herself, "Or else it would be of no use in water so deep. It must grow and diminish according to how far downwards the bottom is." She had heard someone on the shore say the deepest water in the lake is about 1 league, which is equivalent to 3 US miles, and no pole could be that long.

Chook sits back to work on this puzzle when out of the corner of her left eye she notices something odd happening and a mist arising from the water. It was hazy and not fully formed but her first thought was "A GHOST!!" Then she remembered something she had learnt from an old Korean Hwarang, or "Flowering Knight".

"If you see something you think might be a ghost, you can call it an apparition to hedge your bets. Apparition doesn't commit you in the same way the word ghost does—and saying that you've seen one won't cause you to be committed."

So ... an apparition it was ( at the moment anyway).

It began to develop and take on a form in front of her eyes, and she began to realise that it was a Gwishin, a water ghost driven mad by the grief in it's life. She had been told of these spirits and of the fact that they haunted this lake but she had not really believed a word of it ... until now. Glad that she had taken the precaution of bringing along her enchanted bow (just in case) she nocked the arrow (which when inserted into the bow becomes enchanted also), and took careful aim. The arrow flew true straight threw where the phantoms heart would have been. A stream of smoke began to billow from the place where the arrow would have entered had the ghost been a real person, and then it would have been blood. The ghost began to shimmer and waver then in a flash it had gone, banished from the lake, never to return.

Chook wiped her brow and smiled as the ferryman turned and doffed his hat at her as if saying "Well done." He then returned to his poling and Chook lay back and began to rethink her ideas on ghosts.

The fog was getting thicker and darker, visibility was getting less and it felt as the mist had a physical presence. The ferryman seemed to be having no problem navigating his way across the lake in such circumstances. All due to his magic pole, no doubt. Suddenly the water began churning and swirling and on both sides of the boat appeared some more Gwishin, two on each side in fact. They had materialized out of nowhere and were threatening the boat buthad been invisible due to the thick mist. She only knew they were there by their high pitched shrieks that no earthy being could manage. Chook shook her head to clear it and picked up her bow and took an arrow from her . There was no time to really take aim, she just had to nock an arrow and fire. She aimed at each ghosts heart (or where it should have been) and only hit her target twice, but it appeared that as long as she hit any on the body of a sceptre it was banished and banish the four she did.

"A vast silence reigned over the land. The land itself was a desolation, lifeless, without movement, so lone and cold that the spirit of it was not even that of sadness. There was a hint in it of laughter, but of laughter more terrible than any sadness-a laughter that was mirthless as the smile of the Sphinx, a laughter cold as the frost and partaking of the grimness of infallibility. It was the masterful and incommunicable wisdom of eternity laughing at the futility of life and the effort of life ." (( http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/14144-a-vast-silence-reigned-over-the-land-the-land-itself))

Thinking to herself that all was still not the way it should be she had the presence to reassure the passengers that all was well. Gazing into the deep water was quite hypnotizing and soothing she began to feel quite tranquill but all of a sudden the water heaved and separated and from it's dark and murky depths appeared the corrupted monster that breathes and spits toxic smoke. Chook was taken aback looking at this thing, and thing it was. A black dragon that had been tainted and warped into a beast who spits poisonous smoke. She had no idea how to attack this creature at all and bloody hell, she had left her gas mask behind. Her first priority though was to make sure Larianne, and Lappy were out of harms way with Tanaka guarding them. With this achieved she motioned for the ferryman to lie down on the floor of the boat as well. Glad that she had also brought along her favorite sword which had been "forged from the heart of a demon and consumed by darkness, this sword leaves destruction and oblivion in its wake!" It was a great choice for this type of monster.

The monster reared up onto it's tail and tried to slice open Chook's chest with its razor shape talons all the time breathing it's toxic fumes. Chook was ready for this type of attack and dodged at the right time while getting in a hit with the sword. The wound did not upset the monster at all and it came straight for Chook again, again with the smoke issuing from it's mouth. The smoke got her right in the face and she was forced backwards, missing a second hit but receiving a gash down her cheek from the creature's claws. Back up on her feet she once again managed to wound the creature before being forced to retreat again. This happened time and time again, forwards and backwards Chook went, getting in the occasional injury on the beast and getting a few herself.

At long last the monster appeared to be tiring so Chook did something quite foolhardy but very brave. Running to the end of the boat where the brute was positioned she grabbed the ferryman's pole in one hand and swung it over the water. Brandishing the sword in her other hand, she propelled herself straight to the monster and thrust the blade directly into it's heart. Using the momentum of the pole she swung back around and managed to return safely to the vessel. The monster gave several blood curdling screams then slowly disappeared under the surface of the lake leaving in it's wake a film of slimy green sludge on the lake's surface.

At last the mist began to clear and in the distance they could see the shore. A cheer went up from all on board. They were in the home stretch. They were all happily chatting among themselves when with no warning the boat was surrounded by Gwishin once again. This time it was not four, not six, not eight, but too many too count. A moan escaped Chook's lips, but after the battle with the monster this would not be as difficult. She got to her feet, grabbed her bow and quiver, grabbed an arrow and fired at the closest ghost. Again again, again again, she nocked an arrow into the bow and fired, repeatedly,Once, twice, thrice, over and over. Unearthly cries and screams and ghostly wails began and carried across the lake as ghost after ghost was dispelled from the lake. At last they were all banished and a peace that was tangible descended over the boat and it's passengers.

The ferryman sensed an urgency, something was a foot on shore and began to pole faster and faster. Very soon the water was shallow and they had nearly reached the shore. Larianne grabbed hold of Lappy, jumped into the water and hurriedly waded to the land. Once there she ran like the wind to where the fortress was standing. She reached the lever, had to stand on tip toe to reach the handle and then pull down with all her might to release the bridge.

The bridge moves outward from the fortress and across the lake to the team awaiting on the other side. Rapidly they all race across the bridge as soon as it is low enough, hoping it does not vanish before they reach the end. Once on the other bank they join with Chook and move onwards to whatever they may encounter next.

“But we have no warrior,” Lark said worriedly.

“You wound me, fair lady,” Garrick said. “I am a warrior.”

“I thought you were a ranger,” Lark said, a bit puzzled.

Garrick nodded. “I am, but rangers can be warriors as well as healers when needed. And...” he patted his bow, “I already possess an enchanted weapon.”

“Well I’ve got a knife and I know how to use it,” Alia put in. “We can both fight.”

Lark sighed. “And as usual I can do nothing other than play a song in an attempt to soothe the spirits. I fear that having me along did more to hinder your efforts than help.”

Shaking his head, Garrick said firmly, “Nonsense. Where would we be without you? We needed your songs and calmness through our journey.” Then looking at Alia, Garrick said, “You’re not fighting. I’ll handle this.”

“Just who do you think you’re bossing around, Goliath,” the vagabond bristled. “I can pull my weight.”

“I don’t doubt that...now,” Garrick said. “But it’s too dangerous. A knife is a close range weapon and I want you and Lark as far away from danger as possible.”

“I’m not some helpless female,” Alia began in protest only to be cut short with Garrick’s response.

“I know you’re not,” the ranger said, “but you are my companions...and friends. And I plan to do my best to take care of you. My bow is enchanted and a long range weapon. Just stay back for now. If...anything happens, then you can have a chance.”

Lark looked at Garrick and smiled at his attempt to protect them. Even Alia looked a bit shocked and impressed with the ranger’s words. “Friends?” the vagabond said quietly.

“What else would you call us?” Garrick asked. Then turning away from the girls, he headed closer to the water where the Gwishin were boiling up with unearthly, inhuman shrieks.

Already the battle was raging as other Protectors engaged the spirits. Garrick drew an arrow, his bow glowing brightly in the waning light of the sun. He sent the arrow flying with accuracy...and watched in horror as it sailed harmlessly through the ghostly figure approaching him. He realized too late his mistake. The bow was enchanted by the elves, but the arrows were not! Stumbling back from the oncoming spirit, he gave a sharp cry which thankfully was heard by Klytie who chanted a spell, causing the arrows to change to a bright whitish-silver. Garrick seized one from his quiver and fired again. This time the arrow seemed to make a hole in the ghostly figure and it screamed as though in pain, retreating. Calling his thanks to Klytie, Garrick now went on the offensive, firing at Gwishin and driving them back little by little. As the bridge came down, Garrick shifted his attention from the battle long enough to see the girls cause furtive looks in his direction. Motioning with his head, the ranger was glad that they didn’t argue but instead raced inside with the rest. Now he had to focus his concentration on the dragon.

The darkness was growing and Garrick knew that it was only partly natural. Evening was coming, yes, but fog and smoke from the battle and the dragon’s poison wound through the air, enveloping as it went. There were cries of warriors, shrieks of Gwishin, and a rumbling half roar, half hiss that had to be the dragon. As the smoke dissipated slightly the ranger received his first glimpse of the creature. Never in his nightmares had he beheld a creature like this. It had scales as large as shields, but was more snake-like than any dragon that Garrick had ever seen. Add to that the fact that something that seemed like oil oozed from between the scales. It was only when some of the ‘oil’ dropped to the ground with a sizzle that the ranger realized it was actually some type of poison or acid. He was even more grateful now for a long range weapon. But would his supply of arrows be enough? There was only one way to find out!

Taking a spot near a pile of stone, Garrick waited until the monster was engaged with another fighter and sent an arrow flying. The missile struck but other than a shake of the great body, it seemed to have no effect. Frowning, Garrick thought to himself and then an idea came to him. He started out from behind the rock only to have the dragon swing around and spot him. A cloud of smoke billowed out and the ranger ran and rolled to avoid the poison engulfing him. Coughing, Garrick had to use precious moments to attempt to get his bearings again. He then spotted a pool of the oily substance and cautiously extended an arrow. Poking the arrowhead into it resulted in a hiss, but a bit of the substance was now on the arrow. Using extreme caution, the ranger planted his feet as others rush past him. The dragon’s tail lashed and knocked several aside, narrowly missing Garrick, but the beast’s frustration level was rising as he was repeatedly attacked. It swung its head and Garrick grinned. There it was! He released his arrow, praying for a good shot and watched as the arrow sank into the back of the dragon’s head. Roaring in pain as its own poison worked into its body, the massive beast twisted and convulsed. Garrick shot more, regular arrows, continuing the attack until the dragon was conquered.

Kalyna turned around and saw that Abigal was watching from behind, standing still next to an old maple tree. The mage nodded, and Kalyna approached to her. “A tough battle awaits, Kalyna.” said Abigail in a low voice. “I know.” murmured the pirate. “This can help you.” said the mage. And without saying more, she closed her eyes and pronounced the following enchantment in a deep and whispering voice.

“Anira. Malessa. Dinma-Shalaska.”

A small pile of navy blue dust appeared on Abigail’s hands. It didn’t seem magical at a simple glance, but Kalyna could definitely feel its powerful and vibrant energy. Abigail placed the magic dust in a small crystal bottle and sealed it with a cork. “A little sprinkle of this will enchant your sword and give it a great power. Use it well.” said as she placed it on the pirate’s hands. “I will.” said Kalyna. “I’ll be back, I promise.” “I know, young pirate.” Kalyna nodded firmly and stretched her hand with Abigail’s.

“The adventure awaits, my buddy.” said Kalyna to her feathery friend as they approached to the ferryman’s boat. Spike nodded and held his head high.

Kalyna took a deep breath. Frowned brows. Her mouth tight. She was ready.

She hopped onto the wooden boat, joining Larianne, Tanaka and the little Lappy. “We are ready, sir.” said Larianne to the ferryman. The old man nodded, and they set off.

The sunset’s beam barely touched the soft waves. The dark and blinding fog filled the place. The water was dim and murky, leaving Kalyna clueless about where the Gwishin were hiding or when they were going to appear. Spike, covered in the pirate’s brown locks, was shivering in fear and cold. “Don’t be afraid, buddy. We’re together.” she said as she caressed his blue wings. The little Lappy, who was comfortably laying in Larianne’s arms, was heedful and holding his ears high.

In the depths of the lake the silence invaded the air, and Kalyna could feel a strange energy coming from behind. Without turning her head but still looking at her back, she saw a mild glow that was slowly approaching to the boat. “Everyone beware, and don't close your eyes.” ordered Tanaka. Kalyna slowly turned her head back, but the glow wasn’t there anymore.

The sun fade into the horizon, and the harvest moon soon arised.

Sorrowful and screaming voices suddenly started to resound all over the lake. The wooden bote trembled, and the whistling leaves seemed like the trees’ warning. The Gwishin were near.

Tanaka, Larianne and Lappy got to their positions and readied their weapons for the fight. Kalyna unsheathed her silver sword, placed it on her lap and took the bottle Abigail gave her out of her skirt’s pocket. Once opened, she sprinkled the blue dust over the sword’s blade and, within a moment, the silvery weapon had absorbed the magic powder. I guess that’s it, Kalyna thought to herself. But her eyes widened more and more as she contemplated the sword’s transformation. The silver blade turned into a gleaming blue color, the brown grip was now red and the gray pommel now fiery orange. The whole sword glowed even more as it started to heat up.

The screams now became stronger. They have finally arrived.

Their eyes were deep and black; their shapeless bodies were made out of gray smoke. They immersed in and out of the water, making the lake angry and thunderous. “Everyone get ready to attack!” shouted Tanaka. Kalyna wielded her sword and set her sight on one of the ghosts. “Come here! I don’t fear you!” she shouted as she pointed at the Gwishin with her sword, which glowed even more as the ghost got closer.

Kalyna used her newly enchanted sword to banish the Gwishin as it attacked from the side of the ferry. Meanwhile, Tanaka and Larianne both used their enchanted weapons to fight off many of the Gwishin as they attacked the small party.

"Watch out!" Kalyna yelled as a Gwishin snuck up behind Tanaka. She shoved him down and swung her sword over his head, successfully banishing the vile creature.

"Thanks for that!" Tanaka called over his shoulder while he sprung up and smashed another Gwishin in the face.

Kalyna couldn't reply because she'd begun fighting off two Gwishin who attacked her together. Instead she just grunted back, while almost getting overrun by Gwishin. She swung her sword in a circle and jabbed it at the last Gwishin.

The noises of destruction suddenly stopped leaving Kalyna standing, sword at the ready with no one to fight. "Looks like we managed to fight them all off," Kaylna said as she waited for a few tense moments, sword at the ready, just in case it was a false retreat.

"You are quite right, Kaylna," Larianne said with a sigh, while Lappy jumped up into her arms.

“Good fight, my friends.” said Tanaka. “But the battle does not end here. The black dragon is next.” Kalyna was ready to fight again. “Ready for another fight, buddy?” she asked her companion. Spike nodded with a wink, and was more relieved now that the ghosts were gone. Within a moment, Kalyna saw the mild glow once again, but this time coming from the botton of the lake. She decided to take a coser look and approached to the side of the boat. When she did, the glow strengthened and finally revealed itself: a pair of flaming orange eyes. “It’s here!” she shouted as she jumped back. “Prepare to fight, everyone!” ordered Tanaka. And as soon as he said so, the giant monster emerged out of the water, turning around in the air over the wooden boat. The dragon then flew around the boat and encircled it in a dense and corrosive green smoke. “Close your eyes!” shouted Kalyna as she hid her face with her arms. Larianne, Tanaka and Lappy closed their eyes and crouched on the boat’s floor.

Soon, the poisonous smoke seemed to have dissipated. “Is it gone?” asked Kalyna. “I don’t think so. Beware, young pirate.” said Tanaka. Kalyna nodded, and held her enchanted sword tight. The whisper of a rumble began off in the distance, and all three fighters turned to look in the direction from whence it came. Within a moment, the warped monster showed up behind the near forest’s trees and quickly approached to the boat. The beast opened its mouth and aimed at the pirate. “You won’t harm me, dragon!” she shouted. Kalyna wielded her sword, and before the dragon could spit the poisonous smoke, she swung her sword and cut one of his sharp claws. The creature’s scream resounded all over the place and was similar to the shout of a hundred crows. The dragon finally flew away from the lake.

“We did it!” said Kalyna with a huge smile on her face. “You’re right, young pirate!” answered Tanaka. “Well done, everyone!” said Larianne. The little Lappy and Spike were jumping in excitement. The battle was over, and it was now time to return. It’s been a tough battle. I can’t wait to tell you, Nightowls, Kalyna thought to herself.