As I walk to the Bathhouse in Wehnimer's Landing, for my morning cup of coffee, the upcoming battle is at the forefront of my mind, as I am sure it is for many. I allow myself to think in Tehir, the language of my birth.

I'm as ready as I can get; I have stowed all my extraneous gear and loaded up on only the bare essentials; I will be light and fast; I believe I will need to be. I spent the early hours of last evening going over my gear and preparing a survival kit for Phever, for I doubt we will fight side by side and she may have need of those herbs and potions. I'm not sure how I feel about fighting on a different field of battle from her. I know she is capable and strong of arm and heart, but to not have her fighting the Shadows at my side will make the battle feel somehow... lacking. I will miss her songs ringing over the field of battle and her axe and warblade bringing pain and death to our enemies, but I must put my faith in her theory, especially if I go through the veil to fight the Shadows on their own plane.

Phever believes, and has given me cause to believe as well, that loved ones should fight seperately if one chooses to pass into the realm of Althedeus. She has theorized that the bond of love between two people might assist in bringing them back together in our own plane, to help the one who has crossed over to find a link, a bond, and a reason to return to their loved one. The love between Phever and I has served us well before when dealing with Shadow; I see no reason not to believe it can do so again. Love is a power that Althedeus does not understand and I believe that the Shadows are powerless against it.

I have yet to make a firm decision on where I will fight, though I did make my mark upon the list of those who will fight on the plane of the Shadows. As much as I would enjoy fighting Elithain Cross, directly, I feel I can better serve by going into the realm of Shadow, through to the Maw of the Void. I have no experience with anything of this nature and the Palestra stated that "if" we returned there was the possibility that we could be somehow "changed". This worries me, a lot. What is going to happen to those of us who venture beyond our realm? I wish I had answers, but I know we will never be the same, hence my source of fear. It's almost funny; I do not fear the Shadows, but I fear change. I know that is primitive thinking and very closed minded, but I can't help it.

As I leave the bathhouse, a steaming cup of good Tehir coffee in my hand, I see the lists for the upcoming order of battle posted and stop to read them; as always, it is a slow process. I swear, if we live through this I will make every attempt to improve my reading and my inferior usage of the common language, though I doubt it will help very much; the old adage of the old dog and new tricks flits through my mind. I see a number of familiar names on all the lists, well known people, heroes, battle hardened veterans, comrades, and those very close friends who have had my back in many battles over the years. I see other names that I do not know, or do not know well, and I find myself somehow knowing they will be capable, they have to be, in this, our greatest battle. Then there are the names of people that I do not see eye to eye with; I cannot say that this was unexpected, though I am torn between my normal reactions and what I now know to be what is needed... acceptance, if for only this one final battle. It will be difficult for me to do this, but I feel our unity and our cooperation may be a requirement of our victory. Everyone sacrifices in war, I suppose this will be mine; it's as good of a reason as I can think of.

I sip my coffee, dwelling on the past, on old friends and companions, now long gone. I wish they could be here to see us, to stand beside us, to help us to victory. Then I realize that, in a way, they are here. I will carry the memory of them into battle with me. I only pray that I can do their memory honour tomorrow night, in what I hope will be everyone's finest hour.

I close my eyes for a moment and make a silent wish, a prayer of sorts, to all who fight against the Shadow.

May you all fight well, with bravery and honour
May every one of you return safely to your loved ones
May we be victorious over the Shadows
And may you all walk with the sun.

General Radeek Andoran
Drakes Vanguard
Defender of Wehnimer's Landing
Black Raider of the Mir'Sheq




Only the dead have seen the end of war - Plato

When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!!