To Relma's surprise, Edmund De Cathe was there with Aunt Pan and Frederick, looking unhappy. He looked a bit pale and was sitting down with healers around him. But he was leaning on his sword as though resting upon it. His beard had been cut shorter since the last Relma had seen him, and his hair a bit longer. He nodded to her as she approached. "Lady Relma, it has been months. I am glad you and Estela both continue to advance."

"Sir De Cathe," said Relma, bowing. "Thank you for your help."

"I did what I could," said De Cathe somberly. "That will have to be enough."

"Is Ronald well?" asked Frederick, removing a cloak with several tears. "I haven't had a chance to check with him. I fear I'll have to mend my cloak if his injury keeps him from duty."

"I healed his injuries," said Relma. "He'll be fine."

"Good. The boy is invaluable to me," said Frederick.

"Yes, yes, very nice," said Ajax impatiently. "Now, can we get to the point?"

"Ajax, I believe you have some news for us?" asked Pandora.

"I did," said Ajax. "While in the Black Marshes, I discovered some exciting things. I know all about the sacrifices these satyrs performed."

"How did you learn that?" asked Relma.

"I asked one of the chieftains," said Ajax. "Each village yielded a certain amount of young men to Lucius. In exchange, they were granted good harvests and luck in the hunt. Or something along those lines.

"Meanwhile, the lifeforce of their bodies was sent away somewhere else."

"Del Gabor," said De Cathe gravely.

When he said that name, Relma shuddered. Aunt Pan looked at him seriously. "De Cathe? Why do you say that name?"

"While we were with Lord Anton, we spoke with several Dust Elven traders," said De Cathe. "They said that Del Gabor had been occupied. Lights had been seen in the fortress for the first time in centuries."

"I heard of this," said Frederick. "But you're wrong. There have been brave travelers who camped within the fortress. I did it myself once, and I'm alive."

"The dead walk again," said De Cathe. "Here and in the Dusk Lands. There must be a source, as there are with all magics of Withering. What better place?"

Aunt Pan remained silent a moment. "...It may be that Lucius has taken up residence in Del Gabor once again. That castle is powerful, situated upon the ley lines of the spirit world. It could drain lifeforce from so far away.

"But to what end?" asked Frederick. "To unleash demons."

Aunt Pan shook her head. "No. Lucius shares the company of demons, but he does not use them in battle. He prefers to wield creatures of the world to achieve his ends.

"Or perhaps of another world."

"What do you mean?" asked Ajax.

Aunt Pan paused for only a moment as if contemplating what to say. Then she spoke. "...Del Gabor was not always a domain of Withering. Long ago, the fortress belonged to the Dust Elven Empire of old, which preceded Calisha. The Dust Elves did not have the same numbers as the High Elves. But they compensated for this through a series of gates linked with the spirit world.

"The art for making them is now lost. But one was situated in Del Gabor. They had much trade with the High Elves under King Anasar. The fortress itself survived a siege by Anoa but fell into disuse. It was abandoned when the Dust Elves retreated into Calisha to deal with Baltoth.

"That was when Lucius took hold of it. Though he was driven out, it seems he has returned. Lucius may seek to use it for his own ends. He despises all elves, and it would please him to use their own devices to wipe them out."

"Where would he open such a gate from?" asked De Cathe.

"I do not know," admitted Aunt Pan. "The technique required two devices in different places. But Lucius is ancient indeed. He may have devised a means to do so with only one gate. Or perhaps he constructed another one.

"Or, he may have found one that was not destroyed. Though I find that last one doubtful."

"Why?" asked Relma, fascinated by all this.

"The Dust Elves guarded the secret of their gates seriously," said Aunt Pan. "Their entire empire relied on it. The gate in Del Gabor was built to facilitate trade. Dust Elves would come out of it and trade all over Harlenor, then return another way. That was when Laevian was still friendly to Alchara and her high elves.

"Baltoth knew the gates were the key to the Dust Elves' power. So he went out of his way to destroy them all while killing those who knew the craft. He was all too successful, I'm afraid.

"The Del Gabor gate likely survived because Baltoth had no regional power. Anoa II accepted the Dust Elven refugees hoping to learn their craft. But nothing came of that."

"So what now?" asked De Cathe.

"There is nothing for it," said Aunt Pan. "Whatever Lucius' plans are, they are probably centered on Del Gabor. I'll have to go there and disrupt them if I can. Or at least get an idea of what he is doing."

"We'll help you," said De Cathe. "I'll have to go through the Dusk Lands anyway, so it's on the way. And Lucius has already thrown down the gauntlet with us. I expect Princess Estela will agree to do so."

"Well, then, we should go as soon as we are packed," said Aunt Pan. "Time is of the essence."

"I may have a way we can speed through more quickly," said Ajax.

Aunt Pan looked at him in surprise. "How?"

"Well, I mentioned some secret way through the marshes," said Ajax. "The ones I took Frederick and De Cathe through? It was through the Road of Ancient Stone."

"What?" said Aunt Pan.

"I've traveled many paths," said Ajax. "And our broods have learned to use it to move quickly when the time comes. That's why nobody noticed Anya's brood moving to the Wolven Forest.

"If we take the Road, I should be able to get us within sight of Del Gabor in a day."

"A dangerous suggestion. Ajax," said Aunt Pan, "Frederick, what are your views on this?"

"The road was filled with peril, and we lost some men," said Frederick. "But it got us through very quickly. I believe Ajax can do it."

"Indeed," said De Cathe. "He did not lead us astray before."

Aunt Pan sighed. "Then, I will trust him in this."

Then, there was a knock on the door, and someone entered. Pandora looked up. "What is it?"

"Your pardon, Lady Pandora, but the healers require your aid," said a man.

"What is the trouble?" asked Pandora.

"We've found that some of those touched by the dead are fading." said the man. "We can't seem to break the spell."

"Then, I will tend to them immediately. Excuse me," said Aunt Pan.

"I'll go with you," said Relma.

Relma hurried out after Aunt Pan, trying to keep up with her fast steps. Finally getting up beside her, she looked up. "Do you think they'll be alright, Aunt Pan?"

"I don't know," admitted Aunt Pan. "I will try to save them. But Lucius may have set his will too strong on them. De Cathe only received a small amount, and he is stronger of will than many."

They moved to find the sick and found them resting. Their faces were all pale, and they were shuddering. Some were coughing up blood even as the healers worked. Pandora quickly set to work, channeling magic into them as best she could. Relma was assigned secondary jobs, getting water for them and easing their pain.

Aunt Pan's method of healing was different from Relma's. She focused on rallying the power of the person to heal themselves. Relma, meanwhile, was pouring divine energy directly into them. Hours passed as they worked, and all of those Aunt Pan worked on got some color back in them. But they still looked terrible.

"I've done all I can," said Aunt Pan. "I have slowed their descent. But the curse is very strong on them. Some may survive, but I'm afraid it will only be the strong ones."

"Isn't there anything we can do?" asked Relma, wanting to help them.

"If we destroy the power of Del Gabor again, Lucius will probably have to draw back his will," said Aunt Pan. "That may be far more difficult than any of us can achieve."

Then Relma came up with an idea, remembering an old friend. Or an enemy. Sort of both. "What about Wrynncurth?"

Aunt Pan looked up in surprise. "Hmm?"

"Well, I mean, Adrian Wrynncurth is friends with Telix, isn't he?" asked Relma. "So why don't we message him and ask him for help?"

Pan nodded. "It may be worth considering.

"Still, Black Dragons do not like going far from their hoards. Their spirits are bound to them. The Dusk Lands is a very long way away. I doubt Wrynncurth will risk it. Especially since I suspect, he may have had dealings with Lucius in the past."

"We should at least try," said Relma. "He might be able to do something to help. He is a powerful sorcerer, after all."

"That I suppose he is," said Pandora.

Relma was silent, feeling the weight of today on her now more than ever. The sun was setting now. "Aunt Pan, if nothing else, I'd like to see Ronald."

"Very well then, go to him," said Aunt Pan. "I'm sorry to keep you away from your friend."

Then, there was a surging of will. Relma did not know why, but someone was dragged into the room on a stretcher. It was Ronald, and he was as pale as all the rest. Aunt Pan moved to him, trying to set to work. Relma went by his side.

"Ronald, are you alright?" Relma asked, knowing the answer. His eyes were dark. How had this happened? He'd been fine the last time they talked.

"Hello, Relma," said Ronald, voice holding false cheer. "Did you see me on the battlefield?"

"No, I missed it," said Relma. Had he forgotten they'd seen each other earlier. "But they told me you were very brave."

"Good. I'm glad I..." He fell backward.

"Ronald?!" said Relma. "Aunt Pan, what happened?"

"Lucius has set his will on him very hard," said Aunt Pan. "The curse he was under wasn't as strong, but the will of Lucius is enhancing it."

"I'm sorry, I'm just feeling cold," said Ronald. "Very cold...."

Lucius was targeting Ronald directly now? Why? Was it just to get at her? What had she done to him? "You've been cursed. But don't worry. I'm going to fix this." said Relma. "I'll fix it even if I have to knock every stone in Del Gabor to pieces."

"I know you will," said Ronald, oddly calm.

Relma blinked. "Really?"

"Relma, I've known you since we were children," said Ronald. "When you say you will do something, you do it." Then he fell still.

"He was fine just a moment ago," said Relma.

"I know," said Aunt Pan before looking up. "You, girl, find everyone who was touched by the dead. Bring them to the healers whether they want it or not. They may relapse."

Relma felt sick. "Aunt Pan..."

"Yes?" asked Aunt Pan.

"Do you think there will be another Age of Withering?" asked Relma. She remembered the old stories that were told of the last one. It was a time when the dead rose from their graves. They wandered the world, and those touched by them were beset by sickness.

It had been an endless war. And no one ever said how it had ended.

"I don't know. I hope not," said Aunt Pan. "The Dusklands have been barren for ages because of the war fought there. The ground itself is infused with unholy energies. That makes it an ideal place to practice necromancy."

"But why would Lucius be after me?" asked Relma. "Why would he target Ronald?"

"Perhaps as a hostage," said Aunt Pan. "Or perhaps to kill you and prevent the prophecy from coming true.

"Either one would please Lucius."

"This is really serious, isn't it?" asked Relma. "This... this could threaten all of Harlenor, couldn't it?"

"Perhaps the world," said Aunt Pan.

Relma was silent. "Aunt Pan, what was the Age of Withering like? I've heard about it. And I've heard about places that were once strongholds of the Withering. I've read mentions of it. But none of the stories ever go into detail."

Pandora sighed. "...Listen, Relma, there were many gods at the beginning of this universe, but there was only one demon. A being of incredible power and malice. For a long time, he was helpless to influence creation. But when Lucius did what he did, he allowed this demon to enter the world.

"The demon's name was Diabolus.

"All seven demonic archons came from him. And from all of them came all the demons of hell. Baltoth, Fortenex, Zigildrazia, Amysta, Coinfurth, Typhos, and Lucius."

"But Lucius existed before, didn't he?" asked Relma.

"He did," said Aunt Pan. "The other demonic archons were born. Lucius was transformed. But he was ultimately human, capable of good and evil. While the sin he was infused with was pure envy, there was a... divide in his being.

"On the one hand, there is Lucius. Lucius the Eternal. He walked among the dead and dying places of the world. Very courteous, very restrained. Capable of kindness as well as cruelty. And yet there is also the Withering.

"It is a manifestation of entropy itself. It corrupts things that exist in mockeries of their true nature. And those mockeries seek to tear down that from which they have their source. Vampires, wraiths, zombies, and all other undead were formed from the Withering.

"And it is all around us.

"The other demonic archons have no stake in the world, Relma. They exist in hell and can only enter when a mortal allows them entrance. Baltoth got around this by becoming the God of Order. But he took on the positive aspects of that pantheon when he ascended.

"But Lucius...

"Lucius was born of this world, of every world. He cannot be banished. He cannot be killed.

"And I don't know what he wants.

"That's what scares me, Relma. The other archons have a rhyme, reason, and objectives they want to achieve. Things they will and won't do, but Lucius doesn't have any of that. He just does things as they occur to him."

"It'll be fine, Aunt Pan. We'll win," said Relma, not feeling as confident as she'd like.

"I hope we will, Relma," said Aunt Pan. "For your sake."

Relma had a bad feeling about this. But she wasn't about to let that determine her destiny.