The prince grew more excited as he neared his destination. The canopy grew denser as he went. However only a few hundred meters away from the site a bird swooped down from the canopy. Landing on his gorger's head. It had a note strapped to its left leg. As he reached to untie it he was savagely pecked by the bird. Given it an annoyed glance he pulled a copper piece from some pouch hidden under his robe and gave it to the bird who then grabbed the coin with its beak. After Tal'gor removed the letter was removed the bird promptly took flight and vanished back into the canopy.

My prince, it is with my most humble apologies that I must inform you of my inability to meet you at the requested time and place. However I do have some information that may prove useful to you. Shortly after your departure from Oberroth it was reported that a routine patrol had captured a human in strange garbs. More odd is the fact that he bore the mark of Lycan. I have little doubt that this is in some way connected to the manaburst you spoke of in your letter. I still highly recommend that you investigate the area as you originally proposed as you may find still find something that the patrol missed. I will send word to the guards to let you speak to him before they do anything "unpleasant."

Your Friend and Adviser, Armon

As Tal'gor arrived at his destination there was indeed much that interested him there. A large hole in the canopy was directly above a clearing where the manaburst was reported to have taken place. A small crater about four by four feet was directly below the hole in the canopy. Two things caught his attention. One was the fact that the crater seemed to be a perfectly sphereical shape. Second was odd little metal cylinders littered the ground.

Picking one of the metal cylinders up Tal'gor studied it in his hand. On one the cylinder was flat but had strange symbols carved into it. He assumed these must be some forgotten magical glyphs. He pocketed a few so he could ask the odd human about them later. As he was about to leave he noticed a longer blue cylinder with two flat ends. Picking it up he found it to be more light weight than the metal cylinders. The material was unlike any he had ever encountered. He he fumbled with it the top came off. Revealing a pointed tip. How ever the tip was too blunt to be an effective weapon as he felt the tip he wondered what use this instrument could possibly have. Look after losing interest he put the flat in back over the point only to notice his finger was covered what appeared to be ink.

"Fascinating it's a writing utensil of some sort." (Tal'gor)

He pulled out a parchment and wrote on it with the object only to find it never ran out of ink.

"Incredible a pen that produces its own ink. I've never heard of magic that allows this." (Tal'gor)

Tal'gor was completely overwhelmed by the wonder of such a device.

"You want my body?" (Darren)

Darren took a step back.

"O calm yourself human. I don't mean in the since you're thinking of." (Lycan)

"Ok I was kinda freaking out there a second. I don't know about the people on Gallanor or if it's even considered bestiality but I'm not into that. Sorry."(Darren)

"Funny before being sealed her most male humans would have jumped at the opportunity." (Lycan)

Suddenly Lycan's body was encased in a soft blue light. When the light faded a women in her early 20s standing there. Incredibly beautiful with snow white hair and piercing blue eyes. She also sported wolf ears and a tail.

"Well I take back my prior statement." (Darren)

He coughed slightly before continuing.

"Anyway so what do you mean by wanting my body?"(Darren)

"I've been stuck in this place for a long time. My physical body has long since turned to dust. However, if what you say is true and you came here through a portal then that means you came here body and soul. Add that to the fact you also came from another world." (Lycan)

He gave her a confused look.

With a sigh she elaborated "You aren't bound here. I can open a gateway to Gallanor but since I have no body. It would only function as a small window for a few moments and leave me drained of mana for days. What I propose is that I stick my soul in your body. You would still have full control but I would be able to leave this place. Of course I'm really just trading one prison for another."(Lycan)

"You seem to be gaining quite a bit while I simply get an exit. My body may a prison but it's a luxury one." (Darren)

Lycan smiled at this. "Then let me sweeten the deal. One thing I've noticed about you that puts you at a severe disadvantage to the inhabitants of Gallanor is your lack of magic. I didn't even know you were here until you started shouting hello. By the way for future reference if you find yourself in a dark room shouting is probably something you should avoid." (Lycan)

"While I inhabit your body you will have full access to my mana pool. This will help offset your innate disadvantage. As a bonus if i find a way to house my soul in a more "uninhibited" vessel I will leave you have of it permanently as thanks." (Lycan)

Upon seeing his questioning gaze. Lycan decided it was best to let him weigh the advantages and disadvantages.

"Don't answer immediately you literally have all the time in the world to decide. Time doesn't work here. You don't need to eat, sleep, or defecate. However since your physical body is here it will still age so don't take to to long to decide." (Lycan)

Darren pondered on her offer for a long while. On one hand he wasn't sure if he could completely trust a large magical talking wolf who could transform into a woman. On the other hand she was a talking wolf/woman and saying that he knew one on a personal level wasn't something he had on his bucket list, but it would make a great addition. After a few more minutes of deliberation he stood.

"Deal."(Darren)

A smile that seemed to big to be physically possible stretched across Lycan's face upon hearing that word.

"Actually can I do a take back that smile doesn't scream trust worthy." (Darren)

"Nope no take backs." (Lycan)

Rolling her eyes Lycan walked forward stopping inches away from Darren. She leaned forward and kissed him on the lips.

"I Lycan Lord of the wolves and aspect of ice bind myself to thee. Do you accept Darren Tower."(Lycan)

"Yes" (Darren)

He figured it was to late to back out now so why not.

Pain erupted on Darren's chest. He ripped open his shirt to claw at his chest. Directly above his heart a symbol seemed to burn itself into his skin. He was unable to discern what it was, and unable to bear the pain he collapsed.

Lycan spoke her next words softly "So long as we are bound your life is mine and my soul is yours. This is an equal partnership. Never forget that." She then lifted her hand and the the darkness around them shattered.

The next thing he saw was that he was on the floor of a forest in a spherical pit. Unable to keep himself conscious he simply fell forward. The contents of his lab coat pockets spilling out.