At the enclave silence comes to the chamber of the Drow sorcerer, Rain goes over and over material containing any information relating to the one called Larissa and her evil defeat. Days turn into weeks as Rain constantly eludes almost all who he holds dear to him in an attempt for complete concentration for his research. He accompanies his family at meal settings but seems to always be in thought about topics rolling heavy in his mind. As time grows long he begins to sway from joining with them during these short times, his family begins to worry. His uncle Straud begins to order him to eat and sleep laying him down a schedule to follow but ignoring it from time to time using spells to keep his mind focused and his body running. Sleep potions were placed into his food and drink to force him to abide to the call. Rain catches on to the hidden delusions and hides away where they can’t for a time locate him; but figuring that he must be reclusive somewhere in the wild Straud asked for the druids to locate Rain for him. When found Straud asked that Alisianna take him food and keep the line of communication with Rain open to them, she brought him food and drinks and stayed at his side until Rain finished the meals.

Dawn also did some research of her own after aiding Lalandra to a self-recovery state; she allowed Dawn access to her library and to tomes of priestly reference to help aid her in her training of advanced magic. As she watches over Dawn from time to time Lalandra notices an intense lingering focus to her eyes and was curious as to what she was doing. Peering over her shoulder and making small talk from time to time Lalandra would piece together the reference material she was in to figure out what Dawn was so determined night after endless night to form, but realizing her goal brought a warm glow to Lalandra’s heart for she knew it could not be done.

Finishing her studying Dawn caste multiple spells in a connected sequence to make her plan a reality, she went on for a long period of time growing weak after each one caste more and more. Reaching the end of the trial Dawn was seeing the result she wanted; reaching the panicle peak of the exercise Dawn was shown a result she didn’t expect nor want and as the spell deteriorated and lost power. Growing angry with frustration Dawn threw the books off the prep table and knelt to the floor in defeat.

“And here I thought that all the rage of this family was bottled to one person” said a voice from the open cave door, turning her head Dawn saw Lalandra walking slowly over to her.

“Hey you’re a Drow,” replied Dawn shocked to see the reformed dragon

“My powers are coming back faster than I thought, thanks to you” she smiled to Dawn, “Dawn, I know what you’re attempting to do but even if you held all the power of the ages in your grasp, it still wouldn’t work my dear”

“What are you talking about?” Dawn asked

“The spell to revive my children Dawn, I know that is what you were doing”

“I did everything right, I don’t understand what went wrong” said Dawn

“Time my dear time went wrong for the eggs, and they needed to be fully developed and they just weren’t there yet”

“It’s not fair” bolted Dawn to her “You didn’t deserve to lose your children”

“I know, I miss them so much but I need to move on or the threat of despair will rot my soul into blind revenge”

“How long…how long until you can have another set of eggs”

“Dawn please don’t worry yourself about things of such grievance”

“How long Lalandra” snapped Dawn and with a growing silence the answer slipped softly from the dragons lips

“A hundred and thirty seven years plus recovery time from this massive attack”. Dawn went quiet and a look of shock went to her face. She was speechless until some tears of sorrow ran down her face, and seeing them caused Lalandra to tear up at her sight bringing them to hug one another in comfort.

“My god I’m so sorry Lalandra” Dawn cried

“Sweetheart, I thank you for the love you have shown me” Lalandra replied just taking a moment to hold her tight and recoil through her mind the thought of her fallen children.

Changing her thoughts to better use, Lalandra pulled away from the embrace and looked at Dawn.

“I would like to show you a new technique for gratitude of you aiding me to health again Dawn” she asked to the Drow

“A new technique, in what field?” asked Dawn

“One you have no training on yet, Clairvoyance”

“Clairvoyance, what’s that” she asked the dragon

“I will show you my dear if you would permit me to be your trainer, I know that you have not fully taken yourself away from the grievance of your master Maylor, and know that I do not wish to replace him but honor him with adding wisdom to his own”

And smiling to Lalandra Dawn spoke while putting her finger up to stop Lalandra from rambling on in defense, “its ok I know you don’t wish that and I know you won’t, I have come far on his death acceptance and would love to be trained in this field, but what will it allow me to do?”

“Follow me” said Lalandra smiling as she led the young student out of the room and into her own private study chambers.

Lalandra starts by lighting candles in a circular pattern around Dawn who is seated on her knees in the midst of them.

“Now close your eyes Dawn and concentrate only on hearing my voice” instructed Lalandra; she does and is told to retreat to a place of complete relaxation and peace of mind.

“Now feel the life force of the trees in the mountains Dawn; feel how they grow, and the grass through the mists of the plains and fields; feel them blow, and the free flow of the streams and lakes view the clarity of the water and the crisp air. Now Dawn I want you to rise like a bird above all of that, rise up to the sky” she lectured Dawn in a slow calming voice not pushing influence.

“I can see it” Dawn replied excited

“Keep focus and calmness Dawn” Lalandra calmed her again

“I’m rising to the sky, everything is growing small” Dawn said again

“Now rise to the clouds Dawn, and let the forces of the winds of fate guide you along the realm”

“I’m being pulled through the clouds, I’m passing mountains; so fast I’m traveling so fast Lalandra” Dawn said worried

“Don’t resist Dawn you’re in no danger just let the clairvoyant winds carry you” instructed Lalandra again.

Dawn describes being taken over tall old trees, following flowing rivers and ponds; sailing along the endless grasslands and suddenly stops.

“Now where are you?” asked Lalandra

“A town…Celtic is the name” Dawn said with her eyes clearly making movements under her eyelids as if trying to look around the areas. Her head suddenly shoots backwards and a quick gasp of air comes from her mouth,

“Dawn what is wrong”

“Fire, I see fire all around the town, it’s burning…the buildings are burning all around” and hearing the disgruntled image Lalandra tries to press Dawn to describe everything happening.

Dawn talks about the pain she feels for the townsfolk; she says they’re running in terror from a source she can’t yet see there is so much pain and fear she keeps saying, bodies litter the ground in pieces and blood is sprayed everywhere and then as if the picture becomes clear Dawn starts to focus on the faded image.

“It’s so evil and full of hatred, chaotic hatred unguided and has no purpose” says Dawn

“Can you see the source Dawn” pushes Lalandra

“I’m trying, it’s like she is blocking my view of her, so powerful” replied Dawn

“It’s a she?”

“A woman it’s…it’s…so powerful… (Gasp!) Oh my god” finished Dawn opening her eyes and coming out of the focused state and gripping her chest fast she strives to catch her breath almost at a hyperventilating state.

“What…Dawn….What did you see!” Lalandra inquired

“Elanee, Lalandra I saw Elanee!”

As she recovered from the vision Lalandra summoned the group to the meeting chambers to discuss what just occurred, Dawn asked Lalandra why she would see such a thing and if it was true. Lalandra replied that the techniques only reveals current events taking place and being that Elanee and Dawn had a close friendship bond, that’s the reason that Dawn honed in on the event at that time. Lalandra also notices that Dawn medallion started to glow when she concentrated harder to see the view of the evil Elanee causing the havoc, and sense that there was a connection to the two but didn’t yet understand what it was.

With the group assembled but taking extra time for Rain to show up, Lalandra explained what had occurred with Dawn’s vision.

“That’s impossible! She’d never sir come to that” protested Rain to the accusation,

“I know that Rain but I also know what I saw and what I felt, it was her Rain it was Elanee” said Dawn to him

“And I know Elanee!” bolted Rain in defense “and I tell you here and now that this act is both not capable or is she powerful enough to pull it off”

“No she isn’t but Larissa is Rain” said Straud speaking up and standing to his feet Rain look around the room at the group

“I didn’t come here to listen to this, she is not evil!” he blasted and walked out the door.

“RAIN! GET BACK HERE” ordered his uncle but ignoring his words Rain left the room, Alisianna went quickly in his waking heated steps to follow him and the rest continued the discussion letting him go.

She follows him to a cliff side overlooking a valley and seeing the pain in his eyes she moves to his side just as Rain out of grief summons a fireball to his hand and tosses it over the cliff yelling as he threw it.

“You’ll find a way to bring her home Rain” Alisianna said calmly to his ear as she griped his shoulders and looked to his face from the side.

“I don’t know any more Alisianna, I don’t think I can. I didn’t mean to storm out from there but I knew what Dawn said was true, I love her so much but she’ll die anyway from my failure to aid her” said Rain saddened

“Rain she knows you are trying and she knows you won’t give up; even if this Larissa has control of her body and thoughts she will never have the one thing you hold from her”

“And what’s that?” asked Rain

“Her soul Rain, which was given to you along with her heart”

“How can you say such things with such evidence to show no hope Alisianna?”

“Through faith Rain, it must be up kept when all hope is lost; her soul is aiding your determination Rain and seeing it in her eyes I can tell you that they gleam over for one Drow Rain…You, don’t give up on her Rain, don’t give up on your love” Alisianna finishes with a light tap to his shoulders, Rain looks to her with a remade spark of life and grew a smile to his lips toward her “Thanks Alisianna” Rain replies and taking his hand Alisianna leads Rain back to the meeting.

“Hey did you see that” said Alisianna quickly spotting something out of the corner of her eye like a figure cloaked or something.

“See what Alisianna?” replied Rain looking around and scouring the area she then sees nothing, “must have been my imagination” said Alisianna with a have worried look “the babies must be playing mind tricks on me” she says again walking back with Rain.

They return and again together and debate for some time the options and solutions for the newly developed problem at hand. They come up with only one option which was to find Elanee and comfort her for not knowing her weaknesses as they must figure out any way of bringing her home.

Breaking up from the session Rain says that he will try and track her movements from later visions that Dawn will get and hopefully find a pattern from which to establish and crossing ambush. Dawn catches up with Rain on his way to the study in Lalandra’s caves for a one on one talk.

“Rain I didn’t mean to upset you earlier about Elanee, she isn’t evil Rain I’m sorry”

“It’s ok” he replies

“You believe me though right, she has proven herself to be not only a good friend but family and I didn’t mean it the way it came out”

“I know” said Rain and walking for a while he sees a worried look on her face from what she saw and trying to bury it he changes the topic “So how’s your new training going?”

“Good, and the research about helping Elanee how’s that front” she responded to him

“Not so good” Rain said

“We’ll figure this out Rain, she’ll be back in your arms in no time, you’ll see”

“I wish I could fully accept that Dawn but as time goes by I feel that hope slipping away more and more”

“You need to re-strengthen that resolve Rain, for her to believe that she can come back to you” and as they come to the front entrance of the study chamber Dawn reaches to his cheek and gives Rain a kiss, she then smiles to him and walks away.

“You know recent events Dawn have brought out visions of mother in you, with the words you say and the actions you do” she then turns from the comment to see him again and with a smile growing bigger to her face she thanks him for the warm comment and keeps on walking.

Over the next few weeks Rain sends out Cloud and Artanis with military support on one lead after another compiled of information through his findings on Larissa. Assured by Rain that she must be looking for something the two young fighters follow his steps and go on the hunts. But failing the first couple of times and arriving there too late Rain extends his knowledge. He travels to Silverspire and then to other places around the realm gathering more and more knowledge on the evil that has trapped his beloved, but even with the extra credit the attempts were coming up short. Rain’s actions lead the group into a search lasting months and as the hope whines thin on Rain’s head the children’s birthing from Alisianna’s womb grows closer each day. Cloud begins to pressure Rain into trying harder with fear that he has no desire to raise children in such dark times.

“How long are we going to keep this up Cloud” said Artanis coming into the meeting area like he has week after week for their weekly reporting update.

“Until we find her Artanis” replies Cloud taking a sip of his drink while the two wait for the others

“Maybe more to the point, we should be discussing is what are we to do when we find her; salvage what we can or…”

“Don’t say it Artanis!” snapped Cloud to him “Rain will be here soon…what’s the body count at now” asked Cloud

“Over two-thousand and growing by each assault, Cloud, Colossus doesn’t even leave this mass of a call sign in his wake, this is serious”

“I know but what else can we do” Cloud finished as the rest poured into the meeting room, lastly entering was Cloud’s wife who had a look of worry upon her face.

“Alisianna you ok”

“I saw that cloaked figure again, just for a second but it was there” she replied

“That’s the twelfth sighting for you to date” Cloud said concerned

“Dawn tells me it’s nothing, just in my head”

“Are you taking the guard escort when you leave Alise?” he asks

“Yes Cloud…Where’s Rain, isn’t he coming” she pipes up

“We’ll start without him for no new sightings has he come up with anyway” responded Straud sitting down to start the meeting

“I’m worried about him” Alisianna says

“I’ll talk to him after the meeting” said Straud and getting into the session they discuss new business.

After the meeting Straud walks to Rain’s chambers to pay him a visit, he enters the cabin and strolls through it to find Rain lying with the baby on his bed. Straud watches for a moment at the doorway as Rain watches her sleep on the bed curled up against Rain’s warm body. A smile crosses his face but is shrugged off when Rain makes eyes contact, seeing his uncle Rain realizes that he missed the meeting and puts the baby to sleep in her home made crib that his uncle built.

“Rain when I call a meeting I expect you to show up” he said walking with his nephew out of the bedroom to the main room of his cabin.

“Sorry uncle didn’t think there was anything new to report” Rain said pouring a glass of ale to drink, he offered his uncle the drink but he refused

“There wasn’t any this time but that was not the point”

“I know; uncle I’m at a dead end with my research I’ve been over the material a hundred times, she has no pattern of how or what she’s doing what she’s killing it’s just…”

“Chaotic” Straud finishes

“Yeah” replied Rain

“Rain I want you to do something for me, go to the temple with Dawn I have asked her to teach you a meditation method for relaxation of your mind, you need it above all of us”

“Forget it uncle, leave that serenity garbage for the monks that’s not my style”

“Rain, do as I ask”

“You mean quit and give up”

“No Rain! Just take a break, you have done all you can with what you have, even Elanee would agree with this” concluded Straud and not hearing a response Straud goes to leave the chamber room when he stops “Don’t make me issue the order” says Straud again leaving and sulking in his ale Rain reluctantly gives it up and heads to the temple.

Rain emerges at the temple entrance with a slight knock to the door,

“Rain” Dawn answered

“I’m here for my treatment” Rain replied

“Rain you make it sound as if this is a punishment but it’s not; just a little relaxation for your mind” she says coming to the door wearing her dress robes “look at the bright side of this, we have almost never had time to ourselves for one on one bonding, it’ll be fun” she finishes excitedly with a little giggle and taking his hand she leads him to a chamber in the temple with a circle of candles she prepped for them.

Following the instructions given to her by Lalandra they both sat cross legged facing each other and holding hands. She guided Rain on how to relax but his mind at the beginning started to wonder, she kept on him to focus and clear his thoughts and through an hour or two he began to slowly relax.

Taking his mind on a journey through space and time Rain’s body almost went numb to feeling, he opened his eyes careful not to alarm her on it and just watched her sitting there and smiled at how much the recent times of harsh living had made her grow into a woman of such beauty and understanding. Rain listened as Dawn’s iron willed mind lead him into a deep state of concentration and then it happened. The two minds were taken just as Dawn’s was taken before, racing across the clouds to a place unknown to them both, they were surrounded by ruins of stones and with some time passing just looking around the image given to them they saw her; Larissa. Walking around slowly she was towards the area as if she was spooked by something. Then a flash came to their minds of a bright call from Elanee’s voice. “Help ME!” she cried out and disrupting the vision the relaxation was broken and the two Drow returned to the cold walls of the temple chamber.

“Dawn was that…did you see what I did” asked Rain shaking his head

“UNCLE…LALANDRA!” Dawn cried out running with Rain to the temple door where the loud call was answered with a hasting run from them both.

“Did you see it Dawn” Rain asked while following her

“Yes, Elanee’s cry for help” Dawn answered running hard to the door

“What’s wrong Dawn” said Straud

“We must hurry, Rain and I had a vision of Larissa with a cry from Elanee for help, Rain can you teleport to that location”

“If it’s not out of my range I can” responded Rain and ordering the group to assemble their gear for a conflict they agreed to meet up in minutes to travel to the location.

As the group gathers to go Cloud is shocked to his wife in attendance.

“Alise what are you doing here?” Cloud said

“I’m going” Alisianna responded

“No you’re not” Cloud said

“Yes I am Cloud” she barked to him

“Alisianna your pregnant”

“Yeah and your point”

“Alisianna you’ll be a prime target if you’re seen” added Artanis

“So I’ll stay out of sight” she argued

“Alise…No!” Cloud finalized

“Excuse me” replied Alisianna folding her arms “Cloud; Elanee is family to me and if she died when my power could have done more to keep her alive and with us I would never forgive myself”

“Forget it Alise, it’s too dangerous” Cloud stated

“Too dangerous; Cloud have you forgotten what we have been through, don’t lecture me on danger. And let’s get something straight Cloud I’m your wife not a common soldier to whom you orders will be followed, you orders to me are suggestions and with that said the suggestion is acknowledged and noted…but I’m still going none the less”

“Alisianna” Cloud sighed

“Don’t worry Cloud I’ll watch over here” said Lalandra coming up to join the group dressed in a battle armored uniform.

“Lalandra you can’t seriously be at full strength for this endeavor” cautioned Straud

“What is with you guys and thinking we women are made of glass” bolted Alisianna

“It’s ok Alise, I may be not at full strength but I’m close enough to provide a challenge for even this demon inside our friend” smiling to Rain for support and smiling back Rain begins to cast when Alisianna grips her side,

“You ok Alise” Dawn whispered to her not to alarm Cloud

“Yeah just cramps I think” Alisianna shrugs off to her and looking at her pain Dawn begins to worry as the spell comes to a close and the group flashes out of sight.