Laemtra had become an unofficial outcast. Although there was no real order to keep him out of the city in which he had been born and raised, whenever he approached the walls of Bargyron there was no mistaking the unwelcome. What angered him most was the indirect approach of the people. Although on the surface they seemed not to mind greeting him in friendly fashions, he could sense the disgust they felt towards him. The disgust was also mingled with a touch of fear. It was the fear of not understanding, as if he was in some way alien to the rest of them.

He lived just over ten miles away from the city, a hermit dwelling at the seam where the forest met the mountains. Half built into a rock face was the structure which he called his home. He had hated the idea of being so isolated from the rest of his world when he first decided that it was necessary to leave the built walls. Now he had become quite accustomed to his surroundings. They had some amazing benefits. The forest provided more than everything he needed, and wanted. He still held a powerful resentment for that city which now rarely intruded into his life. He knew that the resentment was going to bode very ill for Bargyron, and he knew that it was soon going to be time for his revenge.

As the forest began its night chatter to the falling sun and a light chill began to set into Laemtra’s living room, he gestured with one hand, muttering under his breath, and the flickering life of a fire began to grow in his hearth. He flicked his gaze around the room and a number of candles in various locations also sprung to light. He rested back and let his mind form images of terror from which he would spawn the cities newest worst nightmare. The had been long overdue for a dark era, and Laemtra now felt sure that he was to be the one to start it off down the long dark road.

There was the usual approach of sending fire raining down upon them. During the night this caused a terrific amount of chaos and people city wide would wake with their homes already half burn to the ground. As every other person would be in the same position it would take some time before anyone would realise that they were not the only unfortunate folk. By the time any co-operation would be achieved most of the buildings and stores would be destroyed. Night also provided a spectacular view from a burning city. Laemtra would only have to climb a short way up the rock face to see the dull red glow in the distance which would signify the destruction of a great many lives. There were also a few problems. It would not strike the heart of the city. Much was hidden in stone structures. The Lords and Ladies and many other important folk resided in the stone palace towards the centre of the city. Whatever happened to the city, it would have to directly affect every soul who called themselves a part of it. Raining fire was also too unoriginal for Laemtra’s liking.

As usual Laemtra was thinking too big. It was always the way it had been with him. This and his ability to never let anything go. If he realised he was capable of something of conjured up an idea, he would exhaust every route to follow it through. It was partly due to this arrogance to submit to anything or anyone else established his reputation and resulted in his departing Bargyron. He focused upon searching out a route for his intervention. His conscious became aware of a strange presence approaching. He felt a power within it, vary different to anything he had felt before. It was curiously familiar, which added comfort, but also held a dread deep within it.

He could not ascertain the reason for the mysterious being visit upon him. Usually he could sense at least a vague image of the matters which brought guests to his presence. With this all he could feel was a darkness, as if a mist was shrouding what he was trying to see. It sent a fear through his soul. It had been a while since anyone had ventured out to meet him for any reason and he thought that maybe he had just lost the ability to read intentions of those who came to break his solitary existence. As he focused more intently upon the image he felt another stronger rush of fear flow through him as he realised that the figure was travelling from the East. They were from the other side of the mountain range upon whose feet he lived. He could only remember once before ever meeting someone from those lands beyond. It was a meeting he would never forget.

It had been before he had even began his tanglings with any forms of sorcery and had only held about eight years. He lived in a comfortable but unwealthy home with his parents, an only child due to the strange workings of natural forces and not choice. His father was a farmer who lived outside Bargyrons walls. He worked mainly with crops but also possessed a small number of livestock. They preferred it that way as the crowded bustle which churned within the walls just did not seem to attract them. Unfortunately for Laemtra this meant that he had to travel to meet with any children of his age. As his parents were always overly concerned for his well being, he often found himself with a lack of young companions and child play. His mother had learned to read through her work as a maid to the cities Ladies in her youth. She passed this skill onto Laemtra and he found himself exploring any written material he could lay his hands on. He was a natural with language and had already surpassed his mother at understanding the more unusual dialects some manuscripts and books were written in.

He had heard of the folk from Uviae over to the distance East through gossip from his parents. Occasionally he had read the odd passage from a script he manage to aquire from one of his few sources in town. He knew that Bargyron had some form of contact with them. A few of the cities traders would travel across the mountain range to deal with them, but very rarely did any ever have reason to visit Bargyron. From Laemtra’s experience they also gave no warning when they did decide to visit.

It had been a usual morning as far as Laemtra had been concerned. As usual he was loitering outside the front of their farmhouse. He had finished all his chores and was sitting down to a brief rest. He noticed in the distance a figure approaching. In normal circumstances he would have paid it no attention as many rode past their home. It was a road which led directly towards the minor East Gate. In this case he could see a distince aura around the mounted figure. After a few minutes of staring in disbelief he ran into the house to call his father.

“There is this strange man coming!” he yelled. “He glows, come see.”

His father immediately thought he was being foolish, but after looking up and meeting his sons gaze he realized that Laemtra was obviously most concerned about this.

“Lets go see this glowing man.” Kryntra declared as he stood. “We’ll see just that your eyes are playing tricks.”

Laemtra rushed out ahead of his father to see the figure was still slowly getting closer to their land and was almost close enough for his garments to be made out. He still had the most distinctive light radiating from around his persona. The horse appeared as normal as and other. Laemtra walked across their land to stand by the side of the road. His father was walking up calmly behind him.

“Can you see his father.” Laemtra called back. He don’t look half strange. What you think it could be?”

“I have no idea.” Kryntra said as he came to stand beside his son. “I see a man on horseback, I am starting to see he is most definitely not from any domain I am familiar with.”

“What about that glowyness?”

“I am sorry but I see no glow, what are you trying to pull on me? Have I not told you not to make up strange tales like that.”

Laemtra swung his head around to stare at his father. He realised he was serious. How could he not see that aura. He turned back to the figure and rubbed his eyes. he began to get worried as he could see the glow begoming more and more definite as the figure came closer. He was about to speak but felt he should hold his tongue as things were not as they seemed. Of this he was sure. He looked back at his father and saw that he was staring at the mount intently. Even if it was not a glow, he seem to see something of interest. Laemtra started to see a hint of anxiety enter Kryntra’s expression.

“Mind your tongue young lad.” he said. “I think we have a visitor from Uvaie approaching. It would not do us good to be upsetting him. Say nothing of strange glows” His eyes met Laemtra’s and held them with an intense glare for a short while before he released and gazed back at the arriving figure.

The figure was now almost directly along side them now. Laemtra looked up at him with new wonder, also with new awe. The aura seemed extremely bright up this close but despite the apparent intensity it in no way hurt his eyes. His robes were mainly scarlet with various dark motifs worked into the fabric. The motifs were of a shade which just appeared to be devoid of colour of any description. ‘Black’ was just not sufficent a description for what their eyes could make out. They matched the pupils of his eyes perfectly which just stared straight ahead. His facial features were very well defined which added to his almost sinister appearance.

“Good day you you good Sir.” Kryntra called softly.

The figure faced them as if he had only just become aware of their presence. He did not stop riding and soon turnedhis focus back to the road ahead without so much as a word. Laemtra could feel the desire to call out after him and ask about that aura. He had almost felt it as he had past by. The stare his father had given just before caused him to withold his voice, but he regretted doing so immediately. He felt sure he would now never know. They stood silently as the mysterious man rode off towards the city. Kryntra seemed a touch disturbed by the figure. Laemtra was still unsure whether to be excited or afraid. He could tell thet the man was of some importance somehow.

He did get the chance to see the figure a few days later. In the meanwhile he scoured ever piece of script he had collected to discover what he could about The Uvaie. He refrained from asking his parents for information. He was sure that his father would not approve. He found nothing new in that time, only what he had read before. They lived over to the East, across the mountains, and were very different to Bargyron folk. Past that there was nothing. What made them different was never stated. Perhaps it was that aura Laemtra had seen. He could not understand his fathers denial of its existence. Was it just that it should not be spoken of or could he not see any sign of it.

Four days later Laemtra spotted the same figure heading out of the city. He had been loitering outside the house on the chance that the figure would ride out again. It had paid off. He went and stood again at the side of the road to watch. His father and mother were away from the house at that time. As the figure came closer it Laemtra noticed that the aura, while still present, was much dimmer than it had been on the previous occasion. As he came closer his face also looked more weary, as if he had been drained in some way. He still stared straight ahead and seemed to fail to notice Laemtra’s presence. Without his father at his side, Laemtra could not resist speaking out to him.

“What be the reason your glow is faded.” Laemtra called after the rider had past him by about ten feet.

The horse stopped at a tug on its reigns. The riger swung his leg over the back of the mount and slid smoothly to the ground. He then turned and walked with a steady gait back to stand glaring down on Laemtra. After longing for the mans attention, Laemtra suddenly wished for his insignificance again. At this range he could almost feel the aura engulf him with a soft pressure which when focused on, was not truly there. He had though his fathers eyes menacing but it was nothing compaired to the stare he was now under. He wanted to apologise for speaking but his fear held him in silence.

“Of which glow do you speak?” said the man. His voice was deep but fell flat on its surroundings. It was a voice with no resonance. Laemtra doubted if an echo was at all possible with that tone.

“I’m sorry, I did mean not to offend.” he piped in a voice which sounded vastly more immature than he had ever recalled before, as if he was but just half his few years.

“Of which glow do you speak?” the man repeated in exactly the same tone.

Laemtra felt unsure as to how to answer. He coinsidered following his fathers lead and denying all knowledge. He also felt this man probing his soul and doubted if he could lie sucessfully.

“Sir I was speaking of the glow which surrounds your body.” Laemtra said. “It seemed brighter as I saw you arrive some days ago.”

The figure softened his glare. His head swayed subtly from side to side as if is some strange thoughts were drifting aimlessly thorugh his mind. “Did your father see this too?” he asked.

Laemtra was shocked at his remembering them from before. Did this man know his father. He wondered if it were proper to answer for his father. “Do you know my father?” he asked instead of answering.

“No, but I know him to be your father.”

Laemtra was a little confused. “I do not think he saw and glow, at least that is what he told.”

The man raised his arms and looked up to the sky for a few seconds, then turned back towards his mount. “Speak to no one of this.” he said with his back to Laemtra. “And never reveal what you see.”

Laemtra stood and watch the figure mount and ride off toward the direction from which he had first seen him arriving. Once the figure had become one with his mount in the distance, Laemtra returned to the safety of his house, unsure of what had happened. There was obviously more to it than he had been allowed to know.

He had somehow managed to refrain from ever telling anybody else about his conversation. In actual fact he had found it impossible to tell anyone else. I was if something had bound his tongue. Later, as he was acquiring his conjuring skills, he would boast that he could see more than those around him, but he was usually also intoxicated at the time and others just assumed it was the liquor talking foolishness.

Sitting in front of his fire which was now burning furiously, Laemtra was still searching as to his new prospective visitors objective. It seemed so unclear, still shrouded in what now seemed like dark, wispy fog. He had a strong feeling that they were still some distance away and it would be at least a couple of days before arrival. Apart from this small piece of information, Laemtra was discovering nothing more like this and decided to let it go. In time he would know more.

He picked up a book which was resting beside his seat. It was the latest work he had managed to obtain from Bargyrons main library. It was during his last visit nearly two months ago. Although they did not usually allow books to be removed from its shelves, the volumes Laemtra was interested in were never touched by any other. They seemed to allow him a slightly different service to that of the usual patrons. They also spoke to him only when nessecary and left him to his own devices while with them. It was the way Laemtra liked it now. He prefered no one to be prying into his business. It was yet another source of that magical information which the whole population of Bargyron ignored. Since his play with sorcery begain Laemtra had worked his was through a significant proportion of the volumes available though there was still at least as many he had yet open as he had read. He had always wondered at the reason they were even held there. They must have been there for untouched countless years before his meddlings. They were the source of everything he had learned. He was still learning the basics by the standards of any respectable sorcerer but as he had never met anyone else who had even the vaguest interest in what he was doing he had nothing to compare to. He could never stop wondering who had written any of this material, or why others had not found it before.

The latest volume he had taken was to do with the workings of more advanced elemental control, especially within the sphere of fire. It was where his rain of fire upon the city had been sparked. He slipped into the tranquil state he always used while studying from these books. It allowed him to almost feel the symbols and letters on the pages seep into his being. It was more an absorption of knowledge than straight reading.

He had barely been there for an hour when his concentration was rudely interupted by something knocking loudly at his door. Laemtra half jumped out of his seat. He had been aware of all visitors before they arrived for so many years that this unexpected event shocked him most terribly. He had found his footing and started over towards his door when he realised that whomever it was on the other side of that door was the same as that presence he had felt not long earlier. He could not understand how he could have been so wrong at their arrival time, or how he had not sensed them before they had the opportunity of knocking.

With some trepidation, Laemtra unhooked the catch and swung open his door. Before him stood a dark figure. He wore a heavy brown robe with his hood hanging over his face as to reveal only his nose and chin. It did not stop Laemtra from feeling eyes upon him. There was also an aura about him, just as with that strange visitor from Uvaie. The aura was not so much seen as felt. Laemtra noticed that focusing on just his vision, the aura was invisible. He wondered if this was the same aura he had seen before, just through a childs eyes.

“I am Swaleth.” the figure said. Lamtra expected to hear the same dead tone as he had heard those many years ago. Instead it was a warm, and very human sound. “I have come at you will, and mine, to aid you further with your pursuits Laemtra.”

Laemtra had guessed that Swaleth would somehow know his name. What ever or whoever he was, Laemtra was sure that is probably better to treat him with respect than to try and make an enemy. He invited him inside and motioned for him to sit in the chair infront of the hearth. As Laemtra was not in the habit of entertaining guests, he found he had to locate himself sitting upon a large section of wood which was resting near the fire. Swaleth eased himself comfortably into his new found seat and looked more at home than Laemtra often felt. He slipped his hood down behind his head to unveil a mass of golden straight hair which fell to his shoulders. His face seemed much older than his hair alone would suggest. Even though he held those distinct features Laemtra knew that this was not the same character he had seen when he was only eight years.

“Ah young Laemtra.” Swaleth began. “For a long time have I been aware of your playing with sorcery. I am quite impressed with how well you have now grasped the fundamentals of the craft.”

Laemtra could not help but feel a little put out. He had been working for years and felt he was more than just a beginner. “You are from Uvaie?” he asked.

“I am.” he declared with an obvious amount of pride in confirming this fact. “A place I hope you to come and visit someday.”

Swaleth let his gaze wander around the room. He could see that everything here had its place. Order seemed to have placed a heavy stamp. The walls flighered red from the flames casting a shadow above the mantle piece with only candle light directly having any real effect.

“I am sure you are wondering at the reason for my coming.” Swaleth said. “To begin with at least I am here to help you with that burning desire I could not help but notice even though I was so distant. Revenge is a powerful entity for any reason. In your case the reason makes it that much more so. I can feel what you feel and it is because you have such a passion to repaid Bargyron that I could not resist coming to your aid.”

Laemtra fidgeted upon his stump. It was not quite of the comfort he was used to. He realised that he was to be here for quite some time and shifted to sit on the hard floor.

“I plan to teach you what you need to show Bargyron exactly what shunning a sorcerer of any description can lead to.” Swaleth said. “I myself am a Master Conjurer and can teach you a great many things.”

Laemtra stretched one of his legs out in front of himself. He was unsure of what to make of this do far. It was still much to early to make any solid conclusions. “Why?” he asked. “Why would you wish to aid me. Of what benefit would my interference with Bargyron interest you. If you have anything against the city why not handle the matter youself. You seem to be boasting your skills as a sorcerer, so what need would you have of using me.”

Swaleth inhaled a deep breath with a hint of a frown on his face, as if Laemtra’s words had upset him somewhat. Laemtra shuddered as he realised that the fire had burned that little bit harder and the sound of the night had increased at that moment. Although subtle, he could sense that the world around Swaleth was sympathetic to his feelings. Any doubt of Swaleths power melted away. He would also have to watch his tongue. It was obvious that to fall on the wrong side of Swaleth could signify a fate of most unpleasent proportions. In this instance it appeared that Swaleth was not going to cling to any unrest he felt as he spoke again in a calm voice as he had used before.

“I should not need to provide you with my motivations for my actions,” he said, “but as you are as yet unaware of our true ways I shall be open.”

He fixed his gaze upon Laemtra to ensure that he enough attention was being paid. It was as if he was demanding extra regard for his bother extra bother. Laemtra in turn found he had stopped shuffling on the floor. He was almost afraid to even twitch.

“Firstly I have no quarrel with Bargyron personally.” Swalteh begain. “If that were so I would have no hesitation to arranging my own touch of wizardry to their lousy existence. You would have no part to play and would be struck as well as your fellow city folk.”

Laemtra accepted this cold response as truth. He found he respected this man for being so hard. He was not going to be forgiving in any way or make apologies for what he had to do when necessary. It was exactly the sort of person Laemtra hoped himself to be, or to become at some future time.

“I also plan to teach you for no gain to myself other than to pass on my skills to someone who I feel worthy of being given the chance.” Swaleth said. “I do not feel vain in saying that you should, and no doubt will, feel honoured to be provided with such an opportunity.”

For some reason Laemtra was already feeling as if he were deeply grateful to this person of whom he had only recently met. He knew that he was somehow special to have been chosen for this gift. “I am already indebted. I am beginning to realise just what openings have become available to me.”

Swaleth smiled a satisfying smile. “Finally there is no reason for me to especially wish for Bargyron to suffer in any way at your hands. By taking you on as my understudy, what effects you will in a small way be of my concern.”

Laemtra was overcome by Swaleth’s words. He had mentioned taking on an understudy. In this short time Laemtra had felt the power surrounding Swaleth. It was that aura he was sure now. It was generated through the magical power which was under control there. It was a power he craved for. He had never been aware of exactly what steps would be needed to achieve this. Previously he seen a limited view through the works found in Bargyrons library. Until now he had never realised the extreme force which lay behind it all. Now he also saw a way to grasp this power through Swaleth’s intervention. He could feel a strong sense of triumph over the people of Bargyron. These events proved in his mind that it was not he who had any problem with them, it was their problem in not accepting him. Now he was certain he could prove this to them, and he was going to going to enjoy it.

“Tomorrow I will begin to instruct you with what you need to know.” Swaleth said. “For tonight I will not say much. I will tell of the means by which you will be able to strike Bargyron. The form of this will be such that every person will be horribly aware that their city has been well and truly tampered with. The subtle beauty about it is that they will not be harmed in any way. Quite simply we will move the whole city away from the plateau upon which it now rests.”

Laemtra was not wholly impressed by this approach. He had wished to cause some suffering to compensate for his own. he was also awed by the possiblity that this could be done. He had mastered the movement of objects of reasonable size, a chair or small log at most. He could not fathom how any of the techniques he used could even begin to have effect upon such a thing as a city.

“You must remember Laemtra, a sorcerer has an incredible wealth of forces to control. You will soon find that it can aid a vast majority of your life. You must trust your instincts as to how and when to make use of these unnatural powers. You must also trust your desires. Your desires, no matter how ugly and selfish they may sometimes appear, were spawned from somewhere. You cannot always tell what the consequenses of these actions can be and the best can often come from what may seem a harsh decision at the time of its making.” Swaleth sat back deeper into the chair and let his eyes drift up to the ceiling. “It has proved so many a time in my existence, as I am sure it will in yours.”

Laemtra was cautious at questioning Swaleth’s suggestions, but his last comments made him speak up. This time he spoke as if he did not understand due to his own shortcomings as opposed to the almost demanding tone he had used when Swaleth’s anger had been touched.

“I desire Bargyron to feel some of the pain I have.” he said. “I do not see how moving them could effect their lives at all drastically. I honestly do not see how the whole city could be shifted is such a way.”

Swaleth looked down at him with amusment on his face. “Oh my dear Laemtra, you do not think large enough. I think you misunderstand the magnitude of what I have proposed.” He broke into a slight chuckle as he watched Laemtra try to comprehend what whas being suggested.

Laemtra was relieved at first that Swaleth was not showing any signs of anger. The reaction he got was almost worse. He found he was annoyed at it. Never bafore had anybody accused him of thinking to small. He forced himself to accept that moving a city was possible, but he still did not see how it would couse the anguish he wanted. His mild anger caused him to be more brash.

“Even if we sent Bargyron a hundred miles away, I do not see how it would effect them terribly.” Laemtra said. “I could understand if we were to send them into the sea and allow them to be swallowed by her waters, or some equally disturbing location, but you stated that they would come to no harm.”

Swaleth seemed to become even more amused at Laemtra’s half hearted outburst. “You have a lot to learn.” he said. “To start, I have never said I would have anything to do with the final sorcery. That is for your hands, as so being you can do as you wish. You will have the power to send them where you wish. You may if you wish send them out to the sea. You may send them into the guts of a fire mountain. I will just supply you with the means, then it is your doing and yours alone.”

Swaleth reached into his cloak and withdrew a what appeared to be a small straight stick. It was too smooth to be made of woods and Laemtra noticed that it just caught the fire light. It was probably made of some metal. Swaleth played areound with it in his hands as he continued to speak.

“You will have to learn how to apply some wisdom into your decisions. I am sure you will agree with my methods once you become aware of how this magic really works. I still hold to the fact that you think too small. Can you only visualise moving such a thing as a city one hundred miles. What I can see is the moving of that city off our world, to a place which not only will appear different, but will work differently. I see them arriving with no warning to a place when strange new creatures roam. They will have a chance to survive as a city, but the way will be a terrific struggle. Imagine never being able to return home, not even knowing where or how far that home even is. The sudden failing of the solid nature of things in which you had always trusted. I see a wonderful beauty to the act.”

Laemtra was silent as he too realised what was being proposed. He had been thinking far to small. He gazed into the flickering light and let his mind have time to grasp the concepts. It seemed very possible somehow. Swaleth was right. There was an elegance about the whole thing. They would be cast out from the world they knew, much as they had done to him. they would have to spend years as a city trying to establish themselves in an environment of which they knew nothing.

“The first thing we do is prepare you one of these.” Swaleth said waving what Laemtra suddenly realised was a wand. He now watched the swaying stick as it seemed to drag the air around it along its motion, as if stiring a viscous atmosphere. The image appeared in the same plane as Swaleth’s aura. Not physically there but present none the less. “But this is a task for tomorrow. I have been travelling for a great while and need rest.”

Laemtra suddenly felt caught off guard. He had no quaters prepared for his guest and after quick thought decided that he should offer his sleeping area. Before he had a chance to even begin to make the offer, Laemtra noticed a mattress behind him which did not belong to his home. Swaleth had obviously conjoured it into existence since his arrival. Laemtra stood and arranged some food for Swaleth before retiring to his own bed. He went to sleep with a swirl of information racing through his head.

The next day, Swaleth began his work with Laemtra. He started by producing a second wand which ‘was yet to be impirinted by its master’ as Swaleth had stated. It appeared the same as the first to the normal eye but it lacked the mysterious force which seemed to cling to Swaleth’s.

“As you already know the fundamentals of sorcery I shall teach you by making you do.” Swaleth said. “With your new instrument of magic you will find you have a much finer degree of control over your influence. It will allow you to cast more powerfully and subtly.”

The training of Laemtra’s wand had taken over two weeks, but once ready he could feel the stain of magic which was now engrained upon it. He could already sense the new powers it would bring. Swaleth also taught him about his homeland and the uses of the art being learned. It appeared that the whole of the Uvaie realm utilised magic is some form or other. The walls lived in were more a form of magical force than physical matter. It gave a protection from intruders which was almost impenetrable.

“From attaks from barbaric weaponry our defences hold as well as any keep or castle is capable and it has the advantage that it is well shielded also from mostly all forms of magical attack. The magical presence held there generates what has proved to be the most well guarded realm in our world. The beauty is that its energy extends beyond just the main city and protects all our people who lives outside of Uvaie city.”

It seemed to Laemtra that all who lived in Uvaie were masters with magic. He was told that though there were an exceptionally large presence of sorcerers, most were not capable of more than simple visual illusions which did not consist of any unnatural power. However, all who lived there accepted and made use of magic through the weath of enchanted objects made available. Laemtra wondered about the complete lack of any magic in Bargyron. He wondered if Swaleth held any from of resentment towards them because of their lack of trust in what was the very essence of his world. He dared not even suggest this as Swaleth had already made the point very clear a number of times now that he held no grudge against Bargyron. Laemtra decided to dismiss the idea.

During the next two months Laemtra discovered the true meaning of hard work. As a young man he had worked labouring for many hours a day. He would end his days with his joints feeling weary. It was one of the features of living outside that world that agreed with him well. This was a different kind of work altogether. There seemed to be no real physical effort involved but after each day with Swaleth he could feel a tremendous weariness. It was especially apparent in his mind. He felt as is he was forcing his head to do the equivalent of a fifty mile run each day. Swaleth always gave him enough time to recuperate when needed, but if was always only just enough time.

Through example, Laemtra learned just what was possible if he spend the time needed to master sorcery as Swaleth had. It was not the dramatic which impressed Laemtra the most, more the delicate control. During one of the his more intense sessions in which Laemtra was having great trouble focusing his thoughts, Swaleth silenced all manner of beast in the forest and even held the quiet whistle of the wind in the trees. Even though it produced a silence which Laemtra felt most unsettling he managed to focus with the aid and was also most taken by it.

“Much of what you need to learn is how to feel the world around you.” Swaleth had said. “Only by understanding what forces are interacting there can you use your influence to adjust them for your own needs.”

Laemtra realised that what he had learned by himself was mainly from a doing approach. he had never really considered how these forces were connected and how he was a part of it all. Before all he knew was that certain actions and thought patterns produced results. His work with Swaleth reviled a great deal more depth and he felt a much more complete sense of understanding. Even though the end of each day brought him almost breathless he would not have wished for anything else. He could feel an energy surging through his spirit. It was growing and he had no desire to reduce the rate at which he felt himself progressing. They did rest for a day every week. Laemtra found that he was using this time to allow his mind to digest what he had been shown during the week before. He would spend the day doing nothing which demanded any concentration as Swaleth had advised. It was as sleep is used to allow dreams to sort out the days events and store them in the correct places in that library of the mind.

The Library in Bargyron was where Laemtra visited nearly a full month into his training. Swaleth suggested that he should venture into the city to feel the streets using his new insight. Swaleth would remain at Laemtra’s home as he knew that his appearance would cause unrest in the city. The expedition gave Laemtra the chance to return the few books he had in his possession. It was a strange urge of compassion he held. He felt that if Bargyron was to move on, they would need all the aid they could and his clinging to their works would just be in some way spiteful. He also had no need of them any more as his new Master would provide more than they ever could.

He discovered upon entering the city that he the streets and people seemed very different to what he was used to. He felt as if he were untouchable. He had a strange feeling of authority over everyone he passed. He noticed the way people were regarding him with their suspicions as usual. He could also sense their attitudes very clearly. His work with Swaleth was definitely having effect. He could almost make out the words running through a number of the folk he passed. None of the faces he saw were familiar such was the detachment he now had. He wondered if all the people he used to know had moved away from the city or whether he had just forgotten them. He did not care one way or the other. The only face he did recognise was that of the librarian. He had always been there for as long as Laemtra’s memory could recall.

As he had entered the library via its heavy wooden main door, he found the librarian talking pleasantly to one of his few other customers. Although Laemtra did not disturb them he found that as soon as they became aware of whom had just entered their company, they seemed to find a way to finish their conversation prematurely. It was as if they were afraid that Laemtra would overhear some important hearsay. It played on Laemtra’s temper a little even though he was determined for it not to. A slight resentment of them was sparked inside him as always happened with any Bargyron folk he found he had to communicate with.

“I have just come to return these books.” Laemtra said walking up to the counter at which the others stood. He placed the books in front of them. “I will not be borrowing any more today. I think you will find that I have return all that were owed.”

“Very well.” said the librarian whose eyes did not falter his keen watch of Laemtra’s every move.

Laemtra glanced briefly at the third present and felt the same attention being paid to his person. After a brief silence Laemtra realised that all that was to be said , had. Even though he had never left this library in the past ten years without also taking at least one other volume to explore, the librarian did not even have the courtesy to inquire as to why. Not even a glimpse of surprise. He just held his gaze and expression as if he did not care one way or the other as to the business of Laemtra’s life. If that was how he truly felt then he should at least have had the decency to remove that suspicious stare. Laemtra turned and walked out through the door and headed directly towards the city gate. A seething anger was now well established in his heart. His only consolation was that this city was going to pay. He was preparing for it. They may have had a chance if they had even began to respect him as he deserved.

The rage he felt was directed at Bargyron as a whole. It was not particular aspescts of the place any more, but all of it together. It was as if the city were a singe person. It is quite possible to feel hate towards just one figure even if in truth there could be some features about them which were not truly dislikable. The urge to destroy or disrupt them is someway included every thing about them. It was this way with Bargyron. There had been places which in the past held fond memories but these too seemed now to be as hateful as any other. If his parents had still lived he was sure that even they would not affect his attitude.

“Good, good.” Swaleth said as Laemtra tried to explain how he now saw Bargyron. “I do not applaud your hate but I do you vision. For the next stage in your training I will be teaching you exactly what you need to know to be able to shift Bargyron away from the are it now rests. One of the first tricks you need to be able to master is the ability to see complex objects as a discrete systems.”

They were both sitting on the grass clearing which surrounded the side of Laemtra’s house that faced into the forest. Laemtra was staring into the trees still with great anger in his heart.

“It is very different from levitation.” Swaleth said. “With that method you focus upon a distinct atrifact. You visualise moving it as if you were using your own hands, there is a conceptual point of force which is used to control the movement.”

“Yes I know that.” Laemtra said, still breathing heavily.

“Good.” said Swaleth. “Now try to imagine what you how you would focuse on Bargyron using that method.”

Laemtra considered this task. It allowed him to relieve his mind from dwelling upon his rage. He realised that it was impossible for him to conceive doing such a thing. There was no physical point at which he could concentrate his thoughts. It was the only way he knew to move things through sorcery. A focus upon any of the buildings within he city was complicated enough. To move something if that size would involve using a large area to visualise the force through. The larger the area the more skill and strength which was needed. He would also have to know every piece of the city to move it that way. For a brief moment he contemplated working with the land upon which it stood, but the sheer size pushed that idea swiftly from his head. He tried to use the image of the city as one entity but could not grasp is tightly enough to use. He also doubted that if he would know how to use it anyhow. He decided that the strength and will power needed to levitate a city was beyond any ones capability.

“The task is not impossible but would requires a strength and knowledge of the city, neither of which I possess.” Swaleth said once Laemtra turned his enquiring eyes towards him. “I know of no creature who can perform such a task in such a way. I have heard of such wonders being performed but have never been assured of the accuracy of such tales. As I have mentioned before, to move that city we need to use a different sorcery. This works through the regions which lie outside our physical world. It requires work in a different sphere of sorcery.”

Laemtra could still not comprehend the shifting of a whole city by any means. He was sure that the first step to being able to achieve this would be to accept that it was possible. The anger he could still feel strongly inside him gave him the strength to force his mind to be open to the chance.

“To be able to work within Wytchspace, that place not of this world, you have to be able to hold rational unemotional thought.” Swaleth said. “I can sense this will a source of trouble for you. You have to be able to think of Bargyron without love or hate at will.” He looked towards Laemtra and saw anguish in his face. “If you can achieve this as well as hold your vision of the single force of the city, then you have completed half the task.”

Laemtra could feel this being a problem. It was through his hate that he had managed to conceive Bargyron as necessary. He had trouble holding that even with the hate. Without it he was unsure of himself. That sense of the impossible entered his mind. “Why can you not perform this task?” he asked Swaleth. “You have the power. You have the skill which is needed. I may never manage such a task. Should I not start at a much lower level. This seems a feat beyond my means.”

“Do not be defeated so easily, you have the ability.” Swaleth said with such authority that Laemtra immediately felt at least a bit less incabable. “Why should I wish to perform the sorcery. I have no personal desire to see Bargyron removed from this world. As I have said before, I am here to teach and I believe in surpassing the trivial. The best was I know to pass my skills to you is to make you perform what will be a struggle. Any thing with some wisdom can work with basic magics. Great sorcerers are produced only by those who are prepaired to attempt great exploits. I hope you to become one of them in your time.”

Laemtra still held to some of his doubts but he could not help smiling inside and out at what his mentor could see in his potential future. He knew he had the will to continue to try as hard as he could manage to master the skills he needed. He just hoped that this was enough.

“One more essential factor you should be made aware of before I begin to show you anything of this magic,” Swaleth said, “is that you must not think of yourself in any way a part of that city. If your attachment to it is strong in your heart, then you mey be affected whilst pushing it away from here. You too would be shifted out of our world and that would be of no use to me.”

This was something Laemtra did not mind hearing. “I already feel completely severed from anything to do with that city. Even the fact of my being born and raised there seems distant and without meaning. It is not something I am now a part of, just a place which has to feel my wrath.”

For the next three weeks they worked that little bit harder than they had the month before. Laemtra was very quick to be able to handle the concepts he had to master to work this sorcery. On Swaleth’s part he had become a great deal more open towards Laemtra. He had stated on occasion how impressed he was with Laemtra’s apparently natural gift with magic. As the time passed Laemtra found that his reasons for perfoming this act were changing. As he learned to control his deep desires, Bargyron became more a a challenging task. Although he could focus his thoughts to the hostility he still felt toward that place, it was very much in the background. There was no doubt that he wished to gain a revenge upon them but it was more just a whim. The undisciplined anger had been appeased.

By the end of the third week of hard study, Swaleth declared that he was ready to try use his newest magic. Bargyron would wait for at least another couple of weeks but a small rock which had escaped from the mountain side was now in danger of also escaping from their world.

“It is a single object.” Swaleth said. “Not complex. Just hold the image of its existence as a physical entity rather than what your eyes tell you, as we have practiced before.”

Laemtra grasped at the form of the rock with his mind. It was barely a foot at its largest cross section. Somehow it felt much larger to Laemtra. He started to shut out the rest of the real world around him. He could hear Swaleth’s voice without trouble. It was of a tone which made it clear but not distracting to the task at hand. After what felt like a brief eternity Laemtra felt he had solid hold of the rock. He could now mentally shift it from where it now lay. It was not the kind of movement as would be used physically. It was more a compression of the image although its apparent size never changed.

“Push into itself.” Swaleth’s voice was chiming softly. “See it passing through itself. Ignore where it will settle, just push gently. Keep your eyes upon the stone, it will help keep focus.”

Laemtra could still see the rock with his light sensitive eyes. He wondered what would happen to it if he were successful.

“Keep focused!” Swaleth said.

Laemtra realised he was loosing his grasp but quickly regained it and kept the pressure on. He realised then that the rock was no longer visible. He could feel it but it was no longer just a few feet in front of him. He felt he had missed the sight of its disappearing and lost all grip with his mind. He felt he had failed as the world around him exploded back into his senses, but changed his mind as he turned to see the beaming face of Swaleth.

“Very well done.” Swaleth said. “I am very proud of you. I am not ashamed to admit that it was on my third attempt before I managed what you have on your first.”

Laemtra was overwhelmed with delight. Those weeks of mental training had paid off. He had cast a number of spells before but nothing had matched this. He could feel the power which had just passed through his body. He could also feel how much it had taken out of him. As he tried to stand he found that he lacked the power to move his legs.

“Stay awhile.” Swaleth said. “Allow your body few minutes before movement. It will be a day at least before you can cast again. In time you will become used to this and cope better, but for now just sit calm. I was unable to cast for nearly a week the first time I tried a spell of that strength. At the rate you are progressing I fear Bargyron may not have much time left.”

Laemtra was still working through what he had just performed. He was sure he had never let his sight drift from the rock. He had not even blinked. He realised that the rock had just vanished in an instant. One second there, the next split second it was just not. Normal situations did not have objects spontaneously disappearing, it was no wonder that he did not recognise the point of the rocks departure. “Where did it go?” he asked once he felt he had the strength.

“It’s gone.” Swaleth said gesturing up towards the sky. “It could slip out of Wychspace in any world at any time. You will learn to control destinations as you learn to hold that focus even after it has shifted out of our world. You can then explore. Even at best you will only feel these places. Senses of danger or safety. You could touch upon paradises or worlds of demons. It can take time to find what you seek, but there is always somewhere out there which will fulfil your needs.”

“Where will I send Bargyron?” Laemtra asked and instantly realised that it was a foolish question. It was going to depend on him completely. He would be the one who found a new resting place for the city. Swaleth did not answer his question but sat silent.

After a restful and content evening, they both rested well for the night. In the morning Laemtra found that he could still feel the effects of his previous days activities. At Swaleth’s advice he attempted no sorcery that day but did work again with the meditation techniques he had been perfecting. They help greatly to restore and relax his mind into a calm state. by the evening of the second day he was feeling at full strength in every way. In fact he felt better and more powerful than he had ever before. He could see how magic was almost a drug which forced anyone who tampered with it to crave for more, to become better, to control even more force. He could see himself becoming dependant upon it, but what a energy to have as an ally. For the first time he could recall, Laemtra was was looking forward to what lay ahead in life. He could see himself achieving something to be proud of.

His next attempts at magic were to try the same again. Using a similar rock first, he learned to stay with his thoughts outside his world. As Laemtra had said, he could not see clear visions of other realities, but he could sense features about them. Mainly it was the feeling of safety and peace as against to danger and pain. His first wandering into a hell left him in a cold sweat and caused him to pull out straight away. Since then he was more prepared and could hold his mind knowing that he was not going to be physically affected from what he felt. He was aware however that it was unwise to linger too long in these places as the resulting trauma to the mind could be hard to repair. Most of what he felt was a emptyness, just a feeling of nothing. It was all he had seen on his first brief visit.

After two weeks he had successfully managed to shift more complex items, some with a number of components. The largest being a small cluster of trees which had stood within a clearing in the forest. The clearing was now a lot more prominent. Laemtra was also able to now focus upon object which were out of his sight. He had to know of its existence and location, but that was all. He could then find them in that Wychspace. He still had trouble understanding where or what that place was or represented. According to Swaleth ‘No-one does and can ever really know. What we do know is that it is there and connects everything that exists at every time and in every place’. This unfortunately did not clear things up much for Laemtra. On one of the evenings which shortly followed, Swaleth declared that Laemtra was ready to attempt the main event. Laemtra was relaxing calmly by his hearth. He had known that he was going to be ready soon. Hearing it said did not make it seem any more real.

“Although I have desired to perform this for such a time,” Laemtra said, “now I have the means it just does not have the impact in my heart as I felt it would. Maybe somewhere deep down I still cannot fathom this event coming to be though I know it will happen.”

Swaleth was sitting in a chair he had built with his hand during Laemtra’s weeks of training. He had used no magic. “You have gained a supreme control of your thoughts.” he said. “You will find that although you know the importance of the events around you, you will be able to detatch your emotions from them almost completely at will. This can seem an advantage or disadvantage but they are always there, they will just not interfere if you so wish it.”

Laemtra was undisturbed by the image of having his every thought and fancy under strict control. It added to the wealth of power he was learning to possess. “I look forward to seeing Uvaie. It feels more like my home now than Bargyron ever did. I know I have only your word to draw from, but I can almost sense what you have described.”

“You will be most welcome I assure you.” Swaleth said. “You will also gain an instant respect as I have a great influence in the city. You may find yourself with a position of some sort before long. I am impressed with your abilities and control. Driven by your strong ambition I am sure you will become a great asset to our realm. I have already seen signs of this as you will in time.”

Laemtra felt his controlled calm still if full effect as this praise of what was unprecedented proportions was taken in as just simple fact. He felt a vitality in ihis soul but it seemed not to adjust his emotional state in any way. Even his sense of pride was being wrestled into line. He could not help but wonder as to whether he would ever match Swaleth’s skill his art. For the briefest of moments he felt that he would someday surpass even his Mentor, but the image was lost to absurdity almost as quickly as it had appeared. Swaleth, on the other hand, was well aware of this eventuality. For the first time in a great many years, he felt a slight uncontrollable pang to his pride. Still, he had chosen this path and was determined to follow it through as far as it would go. It was true that he was well aware of Laemta’s amazing gift with these forces, he had to be to even attempt the type of sorcery he had already achieved with such a short training period. One day he may admit to Laemtra that he had surpassed many of the sorcerers of Uvaie even before this external intervention.

It was nearly another whole week before Laemtra decided it was time. Although it may not have been necessary, he was going to be within sight of the city walls. It was partly to help him concentrate upon this gargantuan task. He wanted everything in his favour as he knew he was still fresh to this magic. He was surprised when Swaleth announced that he was not going to accompany him upon his quest. As Swaleth had said before, this was not of his concern. Laemtra realised that he had not performed and magic without the presence of Swaleth since his arrival. This was something he had to do alone.

With only his wand and his thoughts, Laemtra walked away from his house in the mid-morning. The sun was sending a comfortable warmth down to their world. It was an easy kind of day, as if everything was settled and in its place. This was exactly how Laemtra was feeling but he could not help but wonder whether the folk of Bargyron were feeling it too. If they did, and there was a good chance of it, they were about to be horribly cheated by the false promice the day had brought. He remembered his last visit, at which he had left so filled with anger. The anger had now been dispensed but this did not change the fact of what he was about to do.

As it approached mid-day, Laemtra found himself approaching the Minor East gate. He had past the plot of land where his parents farm once stood, now just part of anothers field, and found it did not trouble him at all. It was the first time that not even a small twinge of bitterness past touched his heart. It felt good to be in such control. He left the main road and headed into one of the fields. He had seen only a few other folk and all ignored him politely, still he needed to be undisturbed during his conjuring. With the heat of the sun and the pollen from the high grasses around him, he felt he could almost swallow the air. He passed around the city wall until no sight of any enterance could be seen. The vegetation reached almost to his waist at times and when he decided upon his place to sit and rest, he was almost invisible to anyone who came his way.

He gased at the wall facing him, it was still approaching half a mile away, and wondered it that city would really never see another sunset in their world. For a task of this size he knew that it was going to take him at least an hour to prepare himself mentally. He had to be in exactly the right state of mind to be able to control such an incredibly large amount of magicl power. He relaxed his body and then began to start the techniques Swaleth had taught. He could almost hear Swaleth’s voice calmly informing him of the stages of thought to drift through next.

After what felt to Laemtra as only five or ten minutes, it was time to turn his focus directly at the city and spring the event which would become legend in time to come. Using his wand as a guide through which he could channel the power, he began to concentrate upon the single image of Bargyron. As he had done a number of times in his recent past, Laemtra eased the whole entity out of its world. It required what felt like more energy than he possessed but as if from nowhere the strength came to him. The sight he saw very nearly caused him to loose the city completely but he managed to ignore his other senses for the time being. He had long thought about where he was going to let the city rest before this time. As he had planned he searched for a calm and peaceful region. A suitable place was found easily and Laemtra released his grip upon the image as he felt it settle in its new home. He had done it. He let his conscious drift gradually back to the scene around him.

Although the sun and the breeze were as before, and the air held that same odour of the grass, he felt as if he were in a different location altogether. In front of him lay what could be best described as horribly scared earth. Even though from this distance he could not make out the exact lay of the land, he could see how it were as if a low, rough crater had been dug. The vegetation stopped abruptly at its edges in a most unatural, eerie fashion. Fear entered into Laemtra for a minute. The fear that such was possible. It was very different from the sense of achievement he felt after previous castings. The fear began to grow into a terror. Swaleth had hinted at this but Laemtra had refused to even consider it before now. He had become terrified of himself. For a brief moment he swore to himself that he would never dabble with magic again.

It was short lived as he regained his rigid control over his emotions. He scowled at himself for that instant of weakness. He now recalled the actual disappearing of those huge walls. It was that sight which had caused him to almost loose the plot whilst performing that magic. With the previous objects ejected from his world, they had been of a size where it was conceivable that one had blinked at the time of truth, or had lost concentration upon its sight. With a thing the size of a city, there was no such doubt. It may have been more acceptable if accompanied with large clouds of smoke, or gentle fading away. These were sights he had remembered from as a child and his elders would perfom simple magic, not real magic but simple entertainment. The reality was intense. No forgiving in the abrupt manner of its actions. As he was heading back to his house, he wondered if Swaleth had ever seen such as he now had. This could not be a sorcery performed regularly. He could almost feel the strain within that Wychspace as the city of Bargyron was suddenly thrust into its realm and pushed out again.

It was a long hard journey back. After being hughly drained he found that walking was quite an effort. It helped that as the sun sank slowly down the air became cooler. By the time he entered the shade if the forest , he was just beginning to feel the chill the night would eventually bring. Upon reaching his home, Laemtra was surprised to find that there was another present as well as Swaleth. He had not even began to try and scry out the place before he arrived. This new visitor was obviously from Uvaie. In their attire they were very similar. Laemtra also noticed that they both had that characteristic aura surrounding them, though both were sigificantly dimmer that Swaleth’s had been previously.

As he came closer he became aware of the attention both were giving him. Swaleth essepcially appeared haggard. It was not what he had expected to see. It appeared as if there were going to be no words of congratulation on this occasion. The atmosphere was very solemn. Laemtra suddenly contemplated that there may be some consequence he had to face after such a feat. For some reason he had not considered that the displacing of a whole city would cause some people somewhere to react.

“Good day Laemtra.” Swaleth said in a weary voice. “I see you have done what you needed to do. I must say I am prund of you.” He sounded sincere enough but Laemtra also heard something else, as if this was not altogether a good thing. “I would like to introduce Shelth, a colleague of mine who also sits on our realms high counsil.”

Laemtra suddenly understood why Swaleth had mentiond his influence in Uvaie. He actually held significat position there. He wondered why he had never directly mentioned this before. It had been assumed that Swaleth was a master with sorcery and well respected in his Uvaie, possibly with some fame, but not past of the any politics. Laemtra could feel a sense of powerful dread, it was as he had first felt when he saw Swaleth presence heading towards him those months ago. Maybe he shoud not have ignored it so easily. His training was not finnished and he doubted now if Swaleth would assist any more. He had learnt enough to hold his calm perfectly. Even though he was aware of the change in his apparent situation he felt no panic and waited placidly, but warily, for things to unfold.

“So you are young Laemtra.” Shelth said, peering inquisitively at him. “I see your aura is very weak. I am not surprised. It drained all of us.”

This was another facet Laemtra had fro some reason never considered. If obviously made sense for him to also posses an aura. It seemed linked to the users of magic. He had remembered that Swaleth’s aura could not be seen in a reflection of his person. It was why he would have never seen his own. What did puzzle him was Shelth’s reference to the ‘us’.

“I do not understand.” Laemtra said. “You refer to more than one person perfoming my sorcery. I was the only one present in Bargyron vicinity at the time.”

Shelth laughed an arrogant laugh. “You did not possibly think that it was only through you novice strength that a city was displaced. I do not mind admitting that you played your part in one of the most awsome sorceries that has taken place for a good thousand years, but it was not done by you alone.” He was glaring at Laemtra as if he was enjoying putting Laemtra in his place. “Even my good friend Swaleth here would not be able to pull workings as large as that by himself. I fear you overestimate your powers boy.”

Laemtra was feeling disheartened, mainly because this mage sitting casually in front of him was getting to him. He could feel that solid control he felt he possessed crumbling around him. He was sure it was being done on purpose. He flashed a look at Swaleth to see a gloomy face staring hard at the earth in front of him. Laemtra sank to the ground to also sit. It felt as if there were less distance to fall.

“My dear instrument of destruction.” Shelth said mockingly. “I know that you have served us well, but I am afraid that you must also be put aside to ensure that evry physical trace of Bargyron is lifted from this plain. We have to be sure you understand.”

Laemtra did not understand what was being said to him exactly. He guessed that it would certainly prove to be in some way very detremental to his state of mind. He did grab the courage to ask a question.

“Why was I used, why remove Bargyron through me, why not just do the job yourselves.”

“Because that damned city could not be touched directly by magic not spawned from within its realm.” Shelth said. “We have waited many years for one like you to help. Now at last they stand in our way no longer. Unfortunately that city no longer protects you from our powers either. You lost that guardian when you detached yourself from them.”

“So what will become of me.” Laemtra said. “I gather that I will not be allowed what has been promised from Swaleth.” He shot another look towards his recent mentor to see him staring still hard at the ground.

“No.” Shelth said bluntly. “To his credit, you would if he could have his way. As it is the majority have overruled his wish and to be as direct as I can, you must be killed.”

His power of control left him completely and Laemtra felt fear take over. He was well aware that he stood no chance against this man who sat before him. He did have one glimmer of hope in Swaleth. If what Shelth had said was true, Swaleth was on his side in his heart.

“You unfortunately will never know exactly what part you had to play in our next history, but that is jsut the way life can take you sometimes.” Shelth said. “As least you are aware that you have had a big part. It is more than most can take to their end. Please do not worry, this will be most painless.”

Laemtra suddenly realised as Shelth started to move slowly that this matter was meant to be dealt with immediately. He turned one last time towards Swaleth. Unfortunately for some reason he made no attempt to interfere with events going on. He stared up at Shelth who had stood but stayed silent. He felt hopeless but managed to grasp control of his screaming mind. If he was going out then at least he would be at peace with his thoughts. As his mind cleared Laemtra noticed a way out. He was unsure if he had the strength but when he tried to focus quickly upon Shelth he found a barrier there which he was sure he would never be able to penetrate.His first immediate idea would not work but keeping his mind free made the short leap to another alternative. Of this plan he was truly unsure of the outcome but it seemed his only chance. He turned his focus upon himself and swiftly pushed himself out of his world.

“Why did you do that?” asked Swaleth who looked up to see Shelth standing infront of nothingness. “You did not need to remove all trace of him. I feel we at least owed him a more respectable end.” He was very disheartened but knew there was nothing he could have done. At best he would just have delayed Laemtra’s demise. One the reat of the council had made that decision, he just had to follow it through. He had only wished they had seen him potential. Maybe they had and it was why they had decided so.

“I did what I felt was right.” Shelth said. “I am sorry if you disagree.”

Swaleth stood and began walking off back toward Uvaie as if it were just a mile or two away. In truth he felt he could not be around Laemtra’s house any longer. Shelth watched him for a short while, then followed, slowly catching him up.

“So the story ends for Bargyron,” Shelth said “but it dawns a new era for our people. It was the way you know we had to go.”

“I know.” said Swaleth who had grabbed his calm back. “It just seemed a shame, but it just could not be avoided. It is the way it always comes to pass. Every city has its time, then lays to rest and others shine.”

“And now once again it is Uvaie’s turn.” said Shelth smiling into the darkness ahead.