2.17 - Kongeegon

Anneleigh once again entered deeper into the keep.  Niall Adnar and Emilyn Summers were not familiar with the spirit guide’s alter within the Keep; they left it to her to find and communicate with the guild.

Anneleigh searched the small alcoves and hidden caves of the Keep.  She was certain the Aelfwar would not have permitted the shrine to stand if they knew of its existence.  Logic followed that if she was sent to find it, it must be someplace hidden.

The sunlight began to fade during her third pass through; she became aware of a glowing light, illuminating a large square on the highest level.   Its dim light glowed more brightly in the twilight and had previously been obscured by a large amount of First Order Aelfwar.

2.16 - The new threat

“Kongeegon?” Tivan repeated once Anneleigh had recounted the event.  “Are you sure?”

Anneleigh nodded.  “Yes, very.  But what does that mean?

“Prince Hylas must be mad to involve himself with such powerful planar magic, yet it would explain much of the Aelfwars’ recent activities. “

“Yes, but what is Kengeegon?”

2.15 - A meeting with Prince Hylas

Loras Tivan described the goblin lord, its location, and the location of the guard responsible for arranging the meetings.

“And you don’t feel this could be a trap?” Anneleigh asked him.

“Possible, but like I said, what choice do we have?”

2.14 - Entering Overwatch Keep

Anneleigh watched the squirrel for a few moments before turning towards Quicksilver College.  No matter the hour, she felt an urgent need to find Professor Bedstraw. 

She walked the quiet college paths in the moonlight.  All of the students had returned home many hours ago, but she knew the professors kept longer hours.  At last she found him, deep in conversation with Professor Drift and one of the college guards.  All three looked relieved as she approached.

2.13 - The Palisade

Anneleigh covered her feet in first muddy earth, then spongy moss, and finally a binding of large, durable leaves and vines.  She had used this technique many times while hunting.  The earthen shoes provided a lighter footfall when tracking dear or other game.  They would do well for her travel into the Palisade.

Slowly she climbed the gentle slope until she came to the entrance of the structure.  It was designed to heighten its defenses, with much of its outer walls following the mountain’s edge higher than any Mathosian, Elf or Dwarf could reach.  Anneleigh peered towards one of the guarded openings, only to find more structure.  “A labyrinth, or simple maze?” she wondered of the entrance way. 

2.11 - Gutter's Cave

Anneleigh gathered her few belongings and set out north towards the goblin encampment Professor Drift described.  As she crossed into the goblin’s area, it was clear why no other soldier had succeeded.  All around her, goblins were using a combination of spell craft and blunt weapons to both slay and restrain those residents of Silverwood and Quicksilver College who had unknowingly crossed their path.  Many were still alive.  Anneleigh attempted to free them, but her strength was not sufficient to break the spell holding them to the pillars. 

2.10 - Interlude

The next morning, Anneleigh returned to Argent Glade.  After all the unsettling images she saw during the day, she felt sure she would not achieve a truly deep sleep unless she could allow herself to drift off to the sounds of the natural forest.

As she walked into the village, two Glade Guards approached her.

2.08 - Vision Quest

“Sanctum Watch?”  Anneleigh asks, for this outpost is as new to her as Sanctum itself.

Brougan quickly draws up a simple map.  “We know there are watches of Aelfwar here, here and here, so be sure to stick to the path wherever possible. “  Brougan says as he points out areas on the map to avoid.  “It’s important you reach Maris as soon as possible.”

“I understand.” Anneleigh says as she rolls up the map. 

Anneleigh set off east, towards the coast of Silverwood.  She had a vague idea of where she was heading.  The area had been one of cliffs and plateaus when she last had the need to travel there; a rocky coast carved out by ocean currents.  As she topped the crest of the final hill she was started at the development.  There before her stood a towering basilica on a small island off the coast.  A small bridge extended the path from the main land into the village surrounding the structure.  On this side of the divide was the small outpost of Sanctum Watch.

2.07 - The Mirror of Ages

And so, Anneleigh traveled west of Argent Glade, up the slight slope to the Mirror of Ages.  Though it has been twenty years since her time in Silverwood, and several years previous to even that since her last pilgrimage to the holy shrine, the Mirror of Ages had not changed.  Only the presence of the Alefwar displayed the outward signs trouble within.

As she approached the final ridge she found two archers guarding the path towards the inner circle.  If it were not for their uniform, and their obvious attempt at banning all but the Alefwar from this sight, they would be undistinguishable from her kin in Argent Glade.  Beyond them, many more of their fellows were desecrating alters in plain sight.  Anneleigh allowed the anger she felt towards them to flow through her veins. 

2.06 - House Aelfwar

When dawn broke Anneleigh felt more refreshed than she had at any time in her recent life.  The heat in the air seemed lessened.  The dew on the grass was proof of the return of much needed moisture to the woods.  At peace, but understanding the feeling was an illusion created by the softness of life in Argent Glade, Anneleigh sought out Brougan Grote, the elf who had been steward of the town for as long as anyone could remember.