Servants of the Shards

"YOU KNEW!," spat Eilrah'c, bursting into the Council Chamber, "and again, we pay in our kin's blood!".

Reluctantly, the ancient Farseer's eyes opened and nodded to the Ranger.  "X'ela will live.  We all have our allocated role to play.  Fate cannot be denied."

"Fate.. we should be forging ahead to Bezpin - time is of the essence, the signs..."

"Time is our birthright, as is the Galaxy.  What do we care for the quickling?  Their empires spawn and fade... but enough - temper your spirit!  You located the Mantle."

"Yes Farseer," replied Eilrach'c, reminded of his station.  "The Mantle was as you had foretold: within the crawling forest. The Mon'keigh," Eilrah'c shuddered, recalling his savage encounter with Inquisitor Tylo," they now control the Mantle."

"The Mon'keigh!  Always the Mon'keigh!!" A Warlock, runes crawling over her face in agitation, appealed to the Council.  "Our path is clear - we must intervene now before they learn the secret!"  Calming herself, she turned to the Ranger, "Eilrach'c join us, the old ones confuse our future with their past - come join us and let us put things right".

"Teirrah , I will not deny the Council - it is tradition that makes us strong...", countered Eilrah'c.

"To the Warp with you!", shouted Teirrah, turning and storming out of the Council's chambers.  "Soon the webway to Bezpin will opened and we will will write our own destiny with the Mon'keigh's blood!"

With Teirrah absent, the Farseer beckoned the Ranger closer.  "Eilrah'c patience - Teirrah confuses destiny with fate - she has her role to play and now the time comes for you to choose yours."

The old one continued, "You will travel to Bezpin.  The Mon'keigh must be stopped, but there is more at stake than you can imagine.  Teirrah, her role requires a degree of freedom.  It is your role to... restrain her at the appropriate juncture."

"Me, 'restrain' a Warlock of the Council?  How would I accomplish that?  When?  Why?", queried Eilrah'c, confused by the complex situation unfolding altogether too rapidly for his liking.

"There are ways and means Ranger.  Now watch, listen and learn...", commanded the Farseer, gracefully tracing runes into the air. "First you must understand Teirrah's past..."