By dawn, news of what the locals called the "Sinterbourne Monster" had spread all over town. Mere hours after the creature's capture, drunks and curiosity seekers descended on the remains of the Sinterbourne building like a horde of flies on a dung heap. When the sun rose the next morning, the only citizens who didn't know about the 'discovery' were those who where dead or still asleep.

Dokan Maxwell considered those people fortunate, since he himself had gotten very little sleep. There was far too much work to be done. His first task was securing a cage large and strong enough to hold the creature until he figured out what to do with it. Though the thing was unconscious when Sutton and the Missionary brought it up, Dokan didn't assume that it would remain so indefinitely. The Tower Guard declined to donate a suitable cage as he had hoped, so Dokan had to obtain one on his own... in the middle of the night. He found one at the venerable Gray Mansion, a local mage's guild. Composed of some rare metal of unusual strength, and further reinforced with several layers of containment wards, the cage certainly appeared suitable. The mages assured him that nothing short of a full-blooded demonic entity could escape from it. Dokan snickered at the thought... he himself had escaped from similarly 'inescapable' cages many times in the past. He'd often done it just for fun in his younger days. Still, the creature he wished to contain appeared to have none of his skill as a thief, so Dokan rented the contraption at a ridiculously exorbitant fee, and then paid even more money to have the thing teleported to the worksite.

Of course, by that time, the vast majority of the workmen had vanished, as had Hildebrandt, the foreman. The workman had no doubt either run scared or gone home to their first real night of rest since the renovation began. Hildebrandt's disappearance was probably to avoid lawsuits and legal prosecution. Men had died, and the foreman was largely responsible. By dawn, the greasy foreman would probably be far, far away from Montfort. Sutton, the Rune Missionary, and a handful of other men were still at the sight. As was the creature.

With a shrug of his huge shoulders, the Missionary tossed the heavy creature into the cage while the others watched. Dokan activated the cage's wards, and with a flash and a low hum, the containment magic came to life.

Dokan chuckled and shook his head.

"Inescapable," he mused. "Indeed."

The creature seemed not to have noticed that it had moved. In fact, the thing seemed to be in even worse condition now than it had been before. A steady stream of black blood oozed from a wound in its lower chest, where the Missionary had impaled it. Bloody drool dripped from its mouth as its breathing became more and more difficult. Its misshapen limbs convulsed every once in a while, and occasionally its entire body would spasm violently. Dokan wondered if the thing would survive until morning, and, if it didn't, what would he do with the body?

Dokan was inclined to move the elsewhere, especially since by this time a crowd had begun to gather. Whether the creature was alive or dead by morning, the crowd would only double or triple when the sun rose. Dokan left Sutton and the Missionary to guard the thing while he went and tried to find a relatively private place to stow it. Unfortunately he didn't prove nearly as successful in this as he had been with finding a cage. No one he knew wanted any part of it... or else they wanted Dokan to GIVE the creature to them... something that Dokan's intuition told him was a bad idea, especially since some of the latter group were known to be unscrupulous and irresponsible. In the end he was faced with two choices... relocate the creature to his own mansion or leave it where it was.

Dokan thought long and hard on the matter. Taking the creature to his mansion would mean subjecting himself to hordes of visitors, both welcome and unwelcome, who would come to view the thing. Leaving it where it was meant creating an even larger spectacle, but one that would at least leave him his privacy.

He was still undecided on the matter when he realized that it was almost dawn. He returned to the worksite, where the creature still slept, oozed, and shuddered in its cage. Sutton was trying to fend of a particularly eager... and particularly drunk... reporter for what passed as the local newspaper. The crowd was keeping its distance from the cage... although it was unclear as to whether it was because of the creatures horrific appearance or the stern countenance of the Rune Missionary who guarded it.

"No one shall approach the creature while I stand guard," Dokan overheard the Missionary say.

The crowd still continued to gather, however, and was beginning to become unruly. A second trip to the Tower Guard was in order. About an hour before dawn, the Guard dispersed the majority of the onlookers and promised to 'maintain a presence' in the area. Dokan took this promise with a grain of salt, since he knew the Guard's time was already filled with things more important than crowd control. They were nowhere to be seen five minutes later, and so Dokan set out on his third mission for the night: Guards.

He went to the Dragon's Inn, a local haven for traveling adventurers. He slipped into the inn unnoticed and spend a few minutes observing the patrons and eavesdropping on a few conversations. Then he let his intuition guide him as to who to approach. He hired four rugged adventurers who had risen early to find an honest day's work. Vithor and Juzh were brothers, both equally tall and muscular... though not nearly as much as the Rune Missionary. Zachary was their traveling companion. He was a young man who, while he lacked the size of the other two, had the balance and strength that were the mark of an exceptional swordfighter. Rester was a scout/ranger who spent most of his time in the woods. He wasn't large or strong, but he was an exceptional archer. Dokan paid them a small among of gold up front, with the promise of a large sum if the creature and the surrounding grounds remained undisturbed for the duration of the coming day. They agreed, and quietly followed Dokan back to the worksite.

With that taken care of, Dokan went home for a few hours rest. In the morning he would work on deciding the creature's fate... something that he already dreaded. If the thing was intelligent, then it would HAVE to be turned over to the Tower Guard... in which case he, Sutton, the Rune Missionary, and everyone else who'd been within spitting distance of the thing would become witnesses in some over-blown judicial procedure. If it was just some animal then he'd have to find some reputable person to take it off of his hands. What a pity that Vendredi and his traveling menagerie didn't make regular stops in Montfort any more.

Hopefully the thing would be dead by morning and he wouldn't have to worry about any of it.

Dokan arrived at his mansion just before dawn. Now, finally he had a chance to address the final... and probably most important piece of the night's business.

The child.

The young girl had followed him silently for the entire night. In the fashion of a true thief, she faded into the shadows whenever other people were around, and emerged again when Dokan was alone. Was he going to accept this child as an apprentice? Was he honestly going to teach her how to be not just a thief... but one of THE best thieves in the world? Dokan had no delusions concerning his own knowledge and abilities... he could teach the child things that would make her dangerous. VERY dangerous. He knew ways to bypass the most intricate magical fields and containment spells... he knew certain obscure exercises that developed near-supernatural flexibility in those who practiced them. Was he going to teach her these things, or was he going to try and convince her that she was on the wrong path. The latter was more noble, but the former had a appeal that no man who wasn't as long in years as Dokan could even begin to fathom. The child could be his legacy. He could teach her to avoid all the mistakes he made.

Or he could get her killed.

Dokan sighed. Like the creature, the girl's fate was still undecided.

He held the heavy mansion door open for her and she entered after him. She spend a few seconds peering into the mansion's many shadows, examining them for hidden eyes and furtive movements. Dokan did the same, only he wasn't nearly as obvious about it as she was.

"Upstairs," said Dokan. "To the study."

"Yes, mas-"

"No. There is no master save for one's own mind. Remember that."

"Yes, sir."

The girl walked silently up the stairs and entered the study. Dokan made a detour to his bedroom, where he changed into his evening clothes. Then he went to the study... the child was fast asleep, curled up in Dokan's favorite chair. She looked so innocent laying there... she looked her age for the first time since Dokan had met her.

"Just a child," said Dokan as he backed away and left the study.

"...no I'm not..." the girl murmured after he was gone.

---

Morning came far too soon. The girl awoke to the sound of rustling in the room. Instantly alert, she
flipped out of the chair and landed in a crouching position... ready to bolt or fight as soon figured out what was going on.

It was Dokan. He still wore his sleeping clothes, but he'd obviously been awake for a while. He was seated at his desk, going over papers and contracts.

"Three hours is enough sleep for me," said Dokan. "But I was willing to let you sleep for another two."

"I awake when you do," said the girl. She glanced at the window. The sun was well past the horizon.

"Suit yourself."

Dokan finished reading the document in his hand. The girl wondered what it was.

"Real estate contracts," said Dokan.

"You can read my mind?"

"If you are wise in the way men think, you don't have to be telepathic to know what's going on inside a man's mind. You can predict their thoughts before they happen... which is infinitely more valuable than reading them as they occur."

"Of course," said the girl.

Dokan continued reading in silence for a few more minutes. Then he spoke without looking up:

"What should I call you, girl?"

The girl was surprised. Yesterday, Dokan said that he'd been following her actions for some time. Certainly he must know her name. Was this a trick? A test? A true thief would never reveal their name... but perhaps he was testing her honesty? What should she say?

"You do not know my name?" she asked cautiously

"I know the half-dozen names you've given over your rather short career... yes. But that's not what I asked. What do I call you?"

The girl thought for a moment, and then said:

"Lara."

"Interesting," said Dokan. His eyes were still locked on the contract in front of him.

"My name?"

"No. The fact that you chose to reveal it to me."

"If you are to teach me, then I must trust you-"

"Wrong. Trust no one. Not even me."

The girl nodded slowly. Mentally, she kicked herself for her mistake.

"I'm sorry," she said.

"I'm the one that must apologize."

"Why?"

"Despite what you mumbled to yourself last night after you thought I was out of earshot... you ARE still a child. And here I go dragging you through the city all night without even caring enough to ask you your name until now."

"I was watching you. Learning from you."

"Really?" Dokan turned around and looked at her. "Learning what?"

"The way you walk... the way you stand. Balanced and ready, but so subtle that no one would know. The way you study everything without revealing that you're doing it."

"Always be aware of your surroundings, girl... however, it is often best not to let your surroundings KNOW you are aware." Dokan winked.

"So you see, I've already learned a lot."

"Yes, but those are not the things you need to learn."

"What is?"

"This-" Dokan swept his arms around the room, indicating the massive bookcases and the hundreds of ancient and modern tomes. "This is what you need to know."

"Books?"

"The radius of your knowledge prescribe the circumference of your actions, dear girl. Do you know what that means."

"It's geometry, I think."

"You think?"

"You're talking about a circle."

"Yes, but what does it MEAN?"

The girl thought for a moment. Her smooth young brow wrinkled, then became smooth as she decided on an answer.

"It means that the more I know... the more I am able to do."

"Exactly."

"Have you read all these books?" the girl asked.

"All of them? No. But I've read many. Most of them, in fact."

"Then I shall read them all," Lara announced. Then she corrected herself. "Unless... unless you think I shouldn't."

"Shouldn't? Nonsense. A student should always strive to surpass her teacher."

"But you-.... I could never..."

"Never say never, girl. 'Never' is a beast that lurks nearer than you think... and when you speak its name, it comes for you like a bowman's arrow."

"I see."

"You think you do. But some lessons cannot be taught by man or god.. They must be learned from the harshest teacher of all... experience."

The girl nodded... not quite understanding where Dokan was going with this lesson. He'd said a lot of wise and true things... but none of them were related to his mastery of the thieving arts. He hadn't taught her how to do any of the things that only he knew how to do. Either those lessons were to come later... or Lara had somehow missed them. She decided to pay even closer attention to Dokan from now on, lest she miss something else.

Dokan affixed his signature to the document he'd been studying earlier, and then placed it on a stack of similar documents on his desk.

"Business," he said as he pushed his chair back. "Waits for man nor beast... nor carnivorous corpse-eating monster."

"Should I remember that as well?" Lara asked.

"You decide," said Dokan.

Lara decided that the anecdote might be useful, so she filled it away with everything else that Dokan had said or done. Fortunately she'd trained herself to have a perfect memory, or she never would have remembered them all.

There was a knock at the mansion's front door. A loud, insistent knock that both Dokan and Lara recognized.

"It seems that the day has tired of waiting for us to emerge... and has come to our door to fetch us."

Dokan walked down stairs, and Lara followed silently in his shadow. When Dokan opened the door, Sutton rushed inside.

"You have to come NOW!" he shouted.

"Egads, man, what IS is?" said Dokan.

"The thing from last night... it's awake!"

-----------------------------------

"zzzzzzmmmmmmuh?" Princeton Park mumbled. It was followed shortly by a loud: "OUCH!"

He'd fallen asleep at his desk again. Now, not only did he have a sore back and a stiff neck, but the surface of his desk had left a large red strip down his forehead. He both looked and felt like he'd been beaten with a cane.

And the knife-wound on his neck still stung.

"Damn that Eric Hood."

Princeton turned around quickly to ensure that Mr. Hood wasn't standing behind him. Having verified that he was indeed alone, Princeton stood, stretched and walked over to the room's only window. It was light out... well past morning.

"Another day in this hellhole of a town," he sighed. "Oh, How Lucky Am I..."

Princeton snatched the dirty curtains closed, shutting out his view of the hated town on Montfort. Then he fumbled through his heaps of clothing, trying to find something clean.

After bathing and shaving, Princeton walked to a small cafe on a nearby corner. The food and coffee were atrocious, but it was cheap. And no one bothered him there.

"Coffee-" he grunted to a passing waitress as he sat down. The table he'd chosen had been cleaned yet... crusts of bread and a newspaper still littered the tabletop. Princeton looked around... none of the other vacant tables had been cleaned yet either.

"Hmph. No tip for her," he said aloud.

"Here you go," the waitress said an instant later. She obviously heard his remark about the tip, but she didn't say anything. She DID, however, give him a dirty look as she cleaned the table.

"Hold on a minute..." Park snatched the paper up before she could grab it. It was the Montfort Mime... a local rag that occasionally amused him with their feeble attempts at reporting. It was today's edition. "Let's see what's happening in the armpit of Iffrean this morning..."

The first page was completely dedicated to coverage of some ridiculous local trial. Someone had drawn crude pictures of the defendant, the judge, and the lawyers... with interesting quotes and tidbits printed beneath each one.

"Now THAT looks like an educated man," said Princeton of the defense attorney. "Although he can't be TOO smart if he came here."

Princeton tried to read some of the details of the trial, but...

"Oh, bah," he said as he turned the page in disgust. "This man is obviously guilty. I don't know why they even bother with-"

Princeton's sentence never had a chance to see completion. There... staring at him from the depths of the third page... was an image that snatched the very breath from Princeton's lungs. It was a drawing of a creature... a hideous thing. Despite the crudeness of the drawing, the claws and fangs were clearly evident. The thing was in a cage, and appeared to be resting... although, from the blood pooling around it, the thing could very well have been dead.

Princeton read the copy.

"THE SINTERBOURNE MONSTER - Strange creature kills twelve workmen at the former site of the VonSinterbourne manse! A flesh-eating creature lured several late-working worker into its lair deep under the recently-demolished home of Damion VonSinterbourne. Once there-"

The simplistic, over-dramatic style of the article was simply too atrocious for Princeton to read much further. Besides, it wasn't the words that interested him.

It was the picture.

Princeton grabbed the paper in one hand and his coffee in the other. He dashed from the cafe without bothering to pay... he ran... actually RAN as fast as he could all the way back to his apartment. He barely stopped just long enough to unlock the door... then he leapt over clothing and furniture to reach his desk.

He opened his personal notes... his collection on information related to the elusive Cthrain... and flipped through the pages like a man possessed. Some pages ripped free of the binding and fluttered away... but he didn't care. He knew what he was looking for... he'd just seen it last night while he was studying.

And he'd seen it again just now... in the newspaper.

There! There it was!

Princeton's eyes glazed over. He didn't need to read his notes... he had them memorized: A hundred years ago, in a place who's name even Princeton's multi-linguistic tongue couldn't pronounce properly, a severe earthquake opened a huge crack in the ground. Immediately following the quake, several families disappeared. No bodies were found, but the townsfolk discovered clawed footprints lead into the crack. They sent men into the huge hole to hunt the animals. None returned. One night shortly thereafter, monsters attacked another family and dragged them away... all except the daughter, who ran while her family was being slaughtered. That night, a convenient after-shock closed the crack, sealing it forever. No one knew what the creatures were... except the girl. She drew a picture, which changed hands hundreds of times before finally being pasted into Princeton Park's book of notes. The picture was of an animal that ancient legends said was often seen either before or after the Cthrain destroyed a city. It was a corpse eater... killing and burying the living so that it could dig up the corpses and consume them later. It was intelligent. Extremely strong, with thick bony plates just underneath its leathery skin. It had huge claws, and a jutting, tooth-filled jaw. It had an insatiable appetite for rotting corpses... and yet it had the ability to go for years without food.

And it had just been discovered in Montfort.

Princeton folded the paper so that only the drawing of the creature was visible. He held it next to the drawing in his notes. Despite the differences in stance and artist's ability... one thing was more than obvious.

It was the same creature.

The EXACT same creature.

"Oh... my... GODS!!!"

Princeton grabbed his book of notes and the newspaper, and bolted from his study. He didn't even bother to lock the door... he was too busy running. Running for the VonSinterbourne ruins.
---

"I thought you said it was awake." said Dokan.

Lara could tell he was annoyed by the whole affair... Master Thieves obviously had more important concerns than monsters being found on their property. But Dokan was making an excellent show of being a responsible property-owner. He actually seemed honestly concerned at times... especially last night. A very good act; Lara was almost convinced that it was real...

"It is," said Sutton Woodbridge.

They were back at the worksite once again, a fact that neither Dokan nor Lara was happy about. Dokan obviously had other things he'd rather be doing, and Lara simply wasn't comfortable out in the open. The guards had done an excellent job of keeping the crowd of mulling spectators away from the property, resulting in a large ring of people surrounding, but not actually trespassing upon the Dokan's land. The four guards, Sutton Woodbridge,the Missionary, Dokan and Lara were the only ones on the property... unless one counted the creature itself, who still appeared to be sleeping in its cell. The fifty or so spectators were perhaps sixty yards away... well within eyesight, but not close enough to hear a normal conversation. Lara didn't like it. Standing there in the open, there was no crowd to fade into, and no shadows in which to hide.

Dokan didn't seem to mind it, however, so Lara endured it for now. She simply stood with the others and tried to remain as inconspicuous as possible.

"As a matter of fact," said Dokan. "It looks even more asleep than it did last night."

"Show him," said Sutton.

The Missionary hefted his gnarled staff and stuck the pointed end between the bars. He prodded the creature.

The thing exploded in a fury of snarls and growls. It leapt to its stubby feet and threw itself at the bars-

FZ-ZAM!

A blast of magic from the enchanted cage threw the creature back. It charged again, and a second, more powerful blast knocked it back to the floor. The creature continued to growl like an angry lion for several seconds... snapping at the air and scraping the bottom of the cage with its powerful claws. Then it staggered for a few moments before falling to the floor and resuming its semblance of sleep.

"See?" said Sutton. "Awake."

"Indeed, I think that's more of a show than most of us wanted," Dokan looked back at the crowd, which was a good ten yards further away than it had been. Most of the female spectators seemed to have departed. "I wonder how many heart attacks I'm going to be sued for now. Four or five at the least."

"Perhaps some of them know this creature's secrets," said the Missionary.

Dokan scanned the crowd.

"No," he announced. "None seem to want to get any closer than they are. Any serious scholars or mages would have approached by now. And what, my good man, are YOU still doing here?"

The missionary raised one eyebrow and looked quizzically at Dokan.

"Guarding the beast," he replied.

"That is what I hired these men for," Dokan indicated Zachary, Juzh, Vithor, and Rester... the four kindly mercenaries he had hired the night before. They were dutifully guarding the perimeter of the property... not that anyone was trying to get any closer after the beast's display. "Have you not slept at all?"

"No," replied the Missionary.

"Get some sleep! Gods, I'm not even PAYING you!"

"The protection of the innocent is its own reward," said the Missionary.

"Trust me, there are no innocents in this town."

"Some stray far from the path of righteousness... but all are born innocent." The Missionary glanced down at Lara, who successfully resisted squirming under his harsh gaze. What did he know? Was he telepathic? Instantly, Lara cleared her mind and smiled innocently at the large man.

Dokan cleared his throat loudly, drawing the Missionary's attention away from her.

"Ahem," said Dokan. "I think our first scholar has arrived."

Dokan nodded towards a tall, thin, mousy man who was pushing his way through the crowd. He carried a book and the tattered remains of a newspaper under his skinny arms. The deep, disgusted scowl on his face was more fitting on a bitter old man than on someone still in his thirties, as this man appeared to be.

Lara took an instant disliking to him. She didn't bother wondering why... or figuring out what it was about the site of him that set off he internal alarms. She was a thief... a better thief than most men twice her age... and a she trusted her instincts implicitly. If her gut told her that this man was trouble, then she assume that he was and act accordingly. She backed away from the man's path and stood near the Missionary, knowing that his own size and unusual appearance would draw attention away from her. Plus she could always step BEHIND him if there was trouble.

The stranger approached, and the hired guards moved to intercept him.

"No, let him pass." said Dokan.

"You-" the stranger pointed at Dokan. "Are you VonSinterbourne?"

"I BEG your pardon," Dokan huffed. Lara couldn't tell if he was actually insulted or if he was pretending.

"VonSinterbourne... the owner of this... property. The one who found this thing-" he pointed at the creature, still feigning sleep inside its cage.

"Sinterbourne's dead and gone," said Sutton. "This is the new owner, Dokan Maxwell. As for who discovered the creature... that would be me and the large fellow over here."

"Yes, whatever. My name is-"

"Princeton Park," said Dokan. "Scholar and a general pain in the ass. I know who you are. Your reputation precedes you."

"Good!" Princeton thrust his shoulders back and stuck his chin in the air... trying to make himself look as noble as Dokan. He failed miserably, and ended up looking like a chicken stretched out on a chopping block. "I wish to study this creature. I believe it to be of some.... small significance to my research."

"And what kinda research would THAT be?" Sutton said with obvious suspicion.

"I don't believe I was speaking to YOU," Princeton snapped. "Now go away, little man... we enlightened folk have business to discuss."

While Princeton was taller than Sutton, the hard-working laborer weighed at least twice as much as the lanky scholar. So when Sutton stepped in front of Park, poked out his chest, and planted his calloused fists firmly on his sides, Princeton backed away several hurried steps and swallowed a good portion of his false pride.

"Would you care to repeat that?" said Sutton. "I don't think I heard you right."

"Ummm... no... well, I... you see..."

"There's no need for that, Sutton," said Dokan. "This man means no harm here."

"Whatever you say, Mr. Maxwell."

Sutton backed down, which allowed Princeton to continue breathing.

Lara smiled. The same instincts that told her that Princeton Park was trouble also made her feel at ease around Sutton Woodbridge. Not that she trusted him, of course... a true thief never trusted anyone.

"This creature is a rare specimen," said Princeton. "So rare that it is generally considered mythological. It could very well be one of the last of its kind. If I can verify that it is what I THINK it is, then it could lend credence to some of my own theories concerning certain ancient civilizations-"

"What is it that you WANT, Dr. Park?" said Dokan with a disinterested sigh.

"Ah, yes... you see-"

"Can you speak to it?" said Sutton. "Can you understand what its saying?"

"Sp-speak? Did you say speak?"

"That's right."

"Mr. Woodbridge and the large gentleman behind him claim that the creature spoke to them when they captured it," Dokan added. "Although it has failed to do so since they brought it up form its lair."

"Wh-what did it say?"

"Said 'feed me.' But it said some other stuff too.... some strange mucked-up language."

"I see."

"No you don't," said Sutton. "You think I'm making it up. I'm telling the truth, ain't I big guy?"

"He is indeed." The missionary's deep, rumbling voice sent a chill down Lara's back. He was staring intensely at Princeton Park... obviously the missionary didn't like him either. "The creature did speak."

"I think this thing could be smart," said Sutton. "Like a man."

"And I disagree," said Dokan. "Although I am open to any possibility."

"The language that you claim it spoke... did it sound anything like... ahhh..." Princeton opened the large book he'd been holding. He flipped through a few dozen pages, stopped, frowned, flipped a few more, then looked back up at Sutton. "Yes, here it is... did it sound like: Moznewi Quovu Gequot-"

"GRAAOOOOOOOOOOO!"

To Lara, Princeton's words sounded like gibberish... but at the first hint of them the creature in the cage roared and began howling like a raging storm. From its prone position, thing threw itself backwards... AWAY from where Princeton Park was standing... and smashed against the bars of the cage. The enchantments sprang to life and tossed it painfully back towards the center, but the creature immediately rose once more and clamored towards the far end of the cage... as far away from Princeton Park as possible. It's tiny eyes were wide with more fear than Lara had ever seen on any creature, man or beast. The injured, frightened thing left a trail of blood and foul-smelling urine behind it as it scrambled across the metal floor. It was terrified.

Not that Princeton Park was any better. At the first howl from the creature, Park yelped executed an amazing leapt... backwards. He tripped over a rock, and if Dokan hadn't quickly grabbed the unbalanced scholar's shoulder Park would've cracked his skull open on a sharp chunk of debris.

"Well, well, well..." said Sutton. "Looks like it understood what you said."

"Nonsense," said Princeton. "I didn't SAY any thing.... those were just some random words-"

"Then it appears to be responding to the language itself," Dokan mused. "It is something that the creature has heard before. Judging from the reaction, I'd say it was not a very pleasant memory."

"That's impossible. This language hasn't been spoken in.... a very long time."

"We do not know this creature's life span," said the Missionary.

"It can't possibly be THAT long," replied Princeton. "Trust me."

"Read some more," Sutton suggested. "Real sentences this time... if ya can."

"Oh, I most certainly can." Princeton referred to his book again, although Lara could tell that he wasn't actually reading it. His eyes weren't even focusing on the page... he was just looking at it for show. Lara wondered why.

Princeton cleared his throat and continued:

"Necloo Pliniz Chenewnym Fampiph Sthyladgick."

The creature howled and tried to claw his way through the enchanted bars to escape the words. It was as if hearing them were causing it enormous pain.

"Fampiph Sthyladgick!!!" Princeton shouted.

The creature, now realizing that it was trapped, curled up into a large ball in the corner of the cage and began to shudder violently.

"It's a coward," said Sutton. "Look at it. Afraid of words."

"To some people, words are the embodiment of reality," said Princeton. "To speak them is to change what the world around you."

"Yeah, whatever. Keep going..."

"Ushyp Cippuy Duuyar Odauv Cuajuie!"

The creature whined like a frightened pup, then grew silent. Princeton repeated a phrase he'd said earlier.

"Necloo Pliniz Chenewnym Fampiph Sthyladgick."

The creature growled briefly... and then it lifted its head and made a series of noises. The noises sounded suspiciously like the same kind of language that Park was using.

"Fampiph Pliniz Oochys Yieuntholk Favtuh," it murmured.

The silence that followed was so great... so profound that Lara could hear not only her own heart beating but that of the missionary as well. Everyone except Dokan and the Missionary wore identical expressions of shock.

"Hmmm..." said Dokan. "Do continue, Dr. Park."

"Uhhh...ummm... Taquuguall Ribicyr Darsdik Blyxa Yidieu."

"Ribicyr Blyxa Squygrull Quauncies. Oqys Azzir. Epishuyy Kephal Etsuz Yesie Gruza Vouthreax."

"Those sounded like sentences," said Sutton.

Princeton gave him a "you don't even know what a sentence is" look and continued speaking:

"Hysapoovv Zyptox Nohu Lossoeg Snicys."

"Zyptox Lossoeg Chernavt Ciedsiar. Bisy Dooqaf Gequot Muoscus," the creature replied.

Lara wished she knew what the man was saying. The words sounded like nonsense to her, and Dokan didn't appear to understand them either judging from the frown on his face. Whatever the language was, the monster and Princeton Park were the only ones who knew it. And clearly she wasn't the ONLY one who didn't like that arrangement.

"Okay, what the hell is it sayin'" Sutton demanded.

"SHHH!" said Park. "You'll frighten it!"

"ME? Frighten IT? Hell..."

"Scryyes Ciquyqeb Piwih Laenep Jixibe," Princeton said.

Now the creature frowned. It's already twisted features further contorted into an almost-human look of deep confusion.

"Tvitum Cuienthen. Scoxoc Thrywu Vriler." Princeton said.

The creature launched into a long string of alien words that came so fast that Lara had difficulty separating one word from another. It continued speaking for almost a minute, then became silent again.

"Tcheelsae Cthraiylcad Qeelsoig Baekkiaj," said Princeton.

The creature said nothing. It began to shudder again.

"Tcheelsae Cthraiylcad Qeelsoig!" Princeton demanded.

Again, nothing.

"Tcheelsae Cthrain! Qeelsoig Baekkiaj Cthrain!"

Whatever Park was saying had upset the creature. The thing tried to claw its way out of the cage again... and again, the magic tossed it backwards.

"Qeelsoig Baekkiaj Cthrain!"

"GRAOOOOOOOOOAAARRRRR!!!!" With a hideous bellow, the creature made one final effort to escape the cage, and the words that Princeton as speaking. It threw itself at the enchanted bars with all it's considerable strength. The resulting outburst of magic was so bright that it left everyone seeing spots for several seconds. When her vision returned, Lara saw that the creature still remained in captivity... it was laying on its back in the center of the cage. Its flesh was sizzling, and more blood was pouring from its wounds. Thin tendrils of smoke rose from its skin.

"Dammit, Park!" said Sutton. "Ya KILLED IT!"

The Missionary prodded the thing with his staff, but the creature did not respond. The cage's magic, combined with the creature's earlier wounds, had killed it.

"Well," said Princeton. "I don't think we were going to get anything else out of it anyway."

"I guess this proves that the thing is intelligent, right Mr. Maxwell?" said Sutton.

"On the contrary," injected Princeton. "I'd say this thing were no more intelligent than a baboon."

"But it SPOKE!" argued Sutton. "You SPOKE to it just now!"

"Baboons can speak."

"PSHAW! Nonsense!"

"Scholars have been teaching apes to use common sign languages for years. The monkeys can answer simple questions about themselves... that they are hungry or tired... but nothing more. They are not capable of forethought... nor can they resist their own primitive instincts as man is able to do. Language does NOT make a beast intelligent, as this creature clearly demonstrates."

"Well what was all that talking, then? What did it say?"

Princeton sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Very well... I asked it what it was. It didn't know. I asked it where it came from, and it said that it came from under the ground."

"Hell, we kinda figured that out already," said Sutton.

"I asked it why it attacked the workmen."

"What'd it say?"

"Because it was hungry. I asked how it came to be underneath the building. It responded with a lot of disjointed words and gibberish that I did not recognize. Apparently it didn't understand the concept of what I was asking. I asked again, but the creature got upset and-"

"And killed itself trying to get away?" said Sutton. "I don't believe that for a minute."

"My guess is that the creature must have been some kind of pet which got trapped in the building when it collapsed," said Dokan.

"A pet," said Sutton. "What kind of man keeps THIS thing as a pet?"

"One who would want to dispose of large numbers of corpses," said Dokan. "The creature is a carrion eater... and a very large one."

Lara agreed, although silently.

"I won't pretend to know what Sinterbourne used this building for," said Dokan. "But I've heard the rumors, and this creature's existence is consistent with them."

Sutton nodded in solemn agreement.

Lara had no idea what Maxwell was talking about.

"What rumors?" said Princeton.

"Not in front of the child," said Dokan.

"No matter," said Princeton. "This concludes my interest in the matter."

Princeton started to walk away.

"Hey WAIT!" Sutton grabbed the man's shoulder, bringing a sour look to Princeton's face. "You gonna tell us what this thing IS or what?"

"As Mr. Maxwell said... a pet of some kind."

"But a pet WHAT!? You know what it is... you knew what language to speak to it."

"The creature fits the description of some animals believed to be mythological. I merely spoke the ancient language in which those myths were originally written."

"AHA!" Sutton shouted. "So WHERE did the CREATURE hear that language, eh?"

"Racial memory, perhaps?" suggested Princeton.

"Who's Rachel and what do her memories have to do with-"

"Oh GODS, I'm surrounded by buffoons!"

"Let him go, Mr. Woodbridge," said Dokan.

"Eh?" Sutton raised an eyebrow, and even the Rune Missionary looked confused. Clearly there was more to this than Princeton was saying...

"I said let him go. If we apply basic logic, we can find several very plausible explanations as to why this creature knew this language. Perhaps its captors were scholars such as Dr. Park, here.... they trained it to speak for their own amusement. Or perhaps it is a memory that is passed on from parent to child in this species-"

"That's what I said!" Princeton interjected.

"Whatever the explanation, it is clear from Dr. Park's interrogation that there are no further creatures left in the ruins... and no more reason for me to show any interest in the matter. The work can continue. Good day, Dr. Park... thank you for your time."

"Yes," said Princeton. "You're very welcome."

Princeton straightened his clothes and walked back the way he had come.

"Lara... come with me..." Dokan extended his elbow, and Lara hooked her arm through it. They walked away, leaving a very confused Sutton behind them.

"Where are we going?" said Lara.

"Back to my library," said Dokan. "To study."

"To study what?

"Linguistics and mythology," Dokan answered. "It is a poor thief indeed who cannot recognize a lie when he hears one... and Princeton Park is perhaps the worst liar that I've encountered."

---

The restaurant was perhaps one of the cleaner and more expensive eateries in Montfort... which meant that it was the kind of place Princeton could afford only in his dreams.

It was mid-day. The lunchtime crowd had dwindled to nearly nothing, and the waiters hovered around those that remained, eagerly waiting their chance to clean up and prepare for dinner. Princeton paused in the doorway... not because he was particularly awed by the decor, but because his way was blocked by a large man who's bulk was easily apparent even beneath his elegantly tailored clothing.

"Uhhh..." Princeton began. "Are you-"

"Wick." said the hulking human. Princeton couldn't even imagine a more ill-fitting name. On the list of words that sprang to mind when one saw the restaurant's bouncer, 'Wick' was at the very bottom... penciled in just below 'shrimp' and 'tiny.'

"Yes... uhh... Mr. Wick. I'm here to see-"

"Out back."

"Certainly." Princeton turned away, intending to walk around to the rear of the restaurant. Wick's hand clamped onto his shoulder and yanked him back.

"Quicker just to go through the kitchen."

"Oh," said Princeton. "Of course it is."

Wick stepped aside and allowed Princeton to enter. He crossed the dining room without eliciting so much as a curious glance from the waiters. Then he entered the kitchen, where the cooks and kitchen staff were too busy cleaning to notice him. Princeton spotted a door on the other side of the room. He maneuvered through the maze of hanging cutlery and cooking utensils to the rear door. When he opened it, he found the restaurant's storage room. It was dark... but he could see the rear exit on the other side.

Princeton walked quickly... trying to reach the rear door before the kitchen door closed behind him. He was too slow.

The door closed with a solid 'clunk,' leaving Princeton in pitch darkness.

"Oh dear," he said. He tried to navigate the room from memory, but quickly found himself stumbling over boxes and blundering into... something.

"What's this now?" he mused. Princeton grabbed ahold of what felt like...

"Kindly take your hands off of me, Dr. Park." said the man that Princeton had just bumped into. The voice sent a violent chill down Princeton's spine.

"Mr. Hood" Princeton backed away several steps and squinted into the darkness. A single pair of sinister eyes looked back at him. That's all Princeton could see... eyes. "You... I was just..."

"You've been askin for me," said Eric. "What do you want?"

"Ahh.... well... you see-"

"Spit it out. You're wasting my time."

"I-I'm going to need to... I mean... If I can... uhh... borrow some more money."

Eric Hood said nothing. He merely peered at Princeton from the shadows, his beady eyes transfixing the scholar with a cold, mechanical gaze. Several long seconds passed without a word. Princeton squirmed and fidgeted, but Eric Hood refused to say anything or avert his penetrating stare.

"...Uhh.." Princeton gulped. "Is that... I-Is that going to b-be a p-problem?"

Eric Hood blinked once, and Princeton suddenly felt three inches tall.

"Y-you see," said Princeton. "I mean... you've probably heard about the... uhh... creature found on the Sinterbourne property. No one knows quite what it is... no one except for me. I-I know exactly what it is and where it came from. It has a rather profound significance on several theories I've had concerning-"

"You wanna go on another expedition." said Hood.

"Uhh... yes."

"You wanna use MY money to go digging around for something you couldn't find two times before."

"Umm... yes. Well, THIS time is different. You see... " Princeton lowered his voice, "I've spoken with the creature."

Hood didn't seem the least bit surprised... or interested.

"It's, uhhh... It's intelligent. I know its language. I asked it where it came from, and it told me."

"And where's that?" said Hood. "Wouldn't happen to be the lost city of the Cthrain, would it?"

Princeton felt as if someone had let the bottom out of his stomach. How could a common thug like Hood know about the Cthrain? The surprised must've shown on Princeton's face, because Hood spoke again:

"I make it my business to know what my clients are into. You've written some books... spent a lot of time and other people's money looking for some city that nobody else seems to think exists."

"But it DOES exist! This creature has BEEN there... and it's told ME how to get there as well!"

"Some creature you've never seen before today spins you a yarn, and now you wanna go on a spending spree with my money."

"Well- I'll need money for men and supplies-"

"What's in it for me?"

"Th-this is the Cthrain we're talking about, Mr. Hood! The archeological discovery of the century! There will be historical treasures-"

"Do I look like somebody that's interested in historical treasures?"

"I... no. Not really. But the legends say that, several millennia ago, the Cthrain dominated or destroyed EVERY ancient civilization on Iffrean. Some of the treasure of those kingdoms must still remain..."

"What if the Cthrain don't want to part with it?"

"Oh, don't be ridicu-.... uhh... that won't be a factor, Mr. Hood. They ceased to exist long ago."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because.... if they didn't, we'd all be worshipping them right now. They'd be our gods and masters."

"If you say so," said Eric. "So now there's just some ancient city. Deserted. Just waiting for you to come in and plunder it."

"'Plunder' isn't quite the word I'd use. MY interest is purely archeological."

"Mine isn't."

"There will be treasure, I can assure you. At the very least you'll receive three times the money you lend me."

"But ONLY if you actually find the place. And ONLY if you make it back."

"I will find it, Mr. Hood. And as for my survival, I am no amateur. I've done this type of thing before."

"And all you managed to bring back was yourself. If I lend you money, I'm gonna need something besides a promise based on some creature somebody dug up outta the ground last night. I'm gonna need to get something outta this deal REGARDLESS of whether you succeed or not."

"W-what do you mean?"

"You've got no money. No property. Everything you own is in books or locked away in that oversized brain of yours."

"So what do you want? I can't offer-"

"You're gonna need men," said Eric. "People to go on this trip with you."

"You...you want to g-go with m-me?"

"Hell no. But I have some other clients who need to... disappear."

"D-disappear?"

"Six fugitives. They're payin' me to keep 'em away from the Tower Guard, the vigilantes, and the bounty hunters. But they're turning out to be a real pain in my ass... and they're runnin' out of money. That ain't healthy... for them. Still, they're paying clients so to keep up my good name I gotta help 'em out. For now."

"Why are they s-so p-popular. What did they do?"

"That's none of your concern. They need to get hidden... And it just so happens that yours is the next caravan leaving for nowhere."

"You want me to t-take... c-criminals?"

"You got something against criminals?"

"NO! I just... I need experienced men."

"They're experienced."

Park didn't want to ask just WHAT they were experienced in.

"Soo... I help 'hide' these men in my party... and you lend me the money?"

"Right."

"What if they don't want to go?"

"They'll go... You leave that to me. And if you find any treasure, they'll make sure you don't 'forget' to bring back something for your benefactor. We got a deal?"

"You... you don't even know how much I'm asking for."

"What you ASK for is irrelevant. I know how much I'm gonna lend ya. You want more than that... I know where you can make good money as a male prostitute."

"I... I'm sure what you give me will be sufficent."

"I thought so."

"There's uhh... there's one more thing."

"More?"

"I'm... I'm sure your associates are all up to the job... but I'd like to have a specific man... a man who's done similar work for a colleague of mine."

"And?"

"And I think maybe someone with your resources can get a message to him quickly. His name's Grar Raathruiné, but he goes by 'Rath.' I received word that he may be in the area... a nearby town, perhaps Bephal or-"

"What's the message?"

Park reached into his pocket produced a sheet of folded paper. He held it out in the darkness before him. The darkness snatched it away.

"I'll find him," said Hood. "And I'll add my fee onto your new debt."

"F-fee?"

"Do I look like I'm in the habit of delivering messages for free?"

"Uhh... no. Well, I- I guess that a small fee would be reasonable."

"You guess?"

"I...that's fine, Mr. Hood. Whatever you want."

"What I 'want' is for uou meet your new crew tonight at the Hung Dog. It's a bar."

"I don't know where it is."

Silence.

"Mr. Hood? I-I'm afraid I don't know where that establishment is.... Mr. Hood? I'm talking to myself aren't I?"

Silence. Eric Hood had left the room without Princeton Park even knowing it.

---

Much to her dismay, Lara found herself in Dokan's library once again. It seemed that this was the only place he ever took her... the library and the construction site. Surely the World's Greatest Thief had more interesting places to go.

"Actually, this is the most important place that any man can be," said Dokan... 'anticipating' Lara's thoughts with uncanny ease. Dokan raised his arms and spread them wide, indicating the hundreds of books that sat on the antique shelves. "Surrounded by the wealth of nations. The TRUE wealth of nations."

"Books," said Lara. "You prefer books to gold?"

"Only a fool would prefer the latter over the former. A gold coin, once spent, is gone... it belongs to someone else and can do nothing more for you. But knowledge... THAT is with you always."

"And skill," said Lara.

"Bah," said Dokan. "Skills fade. Muscles atrophy."

"Not yours."

"Ohhh... you think so, eh? How many hot-air balloons do you see ME jumping out of, now, eh? I leave that foolishness to you YOUNG folks now. I've moved on to bigger and better things."

"Like what?" said Lara, with sudden interest. It was about TIME Dokan got down to business... now Lara would learn what Dokan was REALLY doing in Montfort.

"Like trying to convince misguided young girls that a life of crime isn't worth the effort, the danger, OR the thrill."

"I don't believe you," said Lara.

"I know," Dokan replied. "But you will eventually. Hopefully it'll be BEFORE you get my age. If you live that long."

"So what are we doing back here now? What are you going to teach me?"

"Teach you? We aren't here for you. We're here for Princeton Park," Princeton walked over to one of the bookshelves.

"The man at the site? The man you didn't trust?"

"The man YOU didn't trust either... I saw that look on your face. You'll have to hide your suspicions better than that, girl."

"Yes, sir. So if you don't trust him, then why aren't you following him? Why haven't you broken into his house or paid somebody to-"

"Because none of that is necessary when I have THIS-"

Dokan pulled a thick leather-bound tome from the shelf and held it up. Lara read the words embossed on the hard cover:

"LANGUAGES OF THE GODS - THE LINGUISTICS OF ANCIENT AND MYTHOLOGICAL CIVILIZATIONS by Dr. Princeton S. Park."

"Now we'll see what Park and our monster were REALLY saying to each other." Dokan began flipping through the book, then he stopped and looked down at Lara.

"You fancy yourself a good thief, do you?" he said.

"Better that good."

"Then the details of their conversation must be as firmly planted in your memory as they are in mine. Here-" Dokan handed the tome to Lara. "Translate it. If my intuition is correct, we'll find that the creature had a great deal more to say than Park told us."

Lara opened the book and quickly scanned the pages. She came to a large section containing a list of various ancient words and their meanings in several different languages. Some of the words matched the guttural grumblings of the creature. Recalling each syllable of the exchange perfectly, Lara began to translate the conversation between the creature and Princeton Park.



---

The shadow was barely visible in the dim light, and drifted silently across the wall and floor of the noisy tavern. No figure was casting the shadow, it moved of its own accord. And nobody noticed it.

Ryker's Pit was the kind of shady little bar that attracted the darkest elements of Montfort. The torchlights lining the walls were spaced far apart, and failed to fully illuminate many areas of the large room. Every corner was cast in very dim light at best. The patrons liked it that way.

The shadow slid silently among the many other shadows cast by the patrons, making its way across the walls, under tables, occasionally blending with the shadows of passing patrons, until it reached its destination.

Adrian Montrose sat casually in his chair, his enjoyment of the moment and his current environment reflected in his relaxed, confident manner. He used to be a regular at Ryker's Pit, but that was a long time ago. This was his first trip to Montfort in three years, and it would likely be a brief one, so he wasn't about to miss out on visiting his old haunt. And he had other business as well.

The shadow shimmered on the floor when it reached Adrian's table, like a mirage.

A woman screamed in another corner of the room – not an uncommon sound in Ryker's Pit. Some turned to look at the commotion, others didn't notice or didn't care, or were too busy getting into, or starting, trouble of their own. Adrian turned his head casually to see what the fuss was about. When he turned back to his tankard of ale, Durthan Krycek was sitting in the chair opposite him. His arrival was completely silent. Adrian wasn't surprised. He smiled.

"Krycek."

"Adrian," Krycek said in his regal, Arthurian accent.

"Lemme guess, there is no woman in the far corner," Adrian said wryly. "When will you come up with better distractions?"

"When you come up with better places to meet."

"Like you've never been in a place like this before. Remember the fight we got into at the Hung Dog?"

Krycek tried *not* to remember… he just grimaced.

Adrian laughed. "Those were the days, eh? So, I guess you're in a hurry like usual."

"Unfortunately. But don't worry, there'll always be more bar fights to get into."

"By the way, nice shadow trick. Don't think I've seen that one before."

Krycek wasn't surprised that he'd noticed. Adrian never missed a thing.

Adrian proceeded to tell Krycek everything that had transpired since the creature had been discovered under the old Sinterbourne property. Krycek already knew most of it even before arriving in Montfort – news travels fast, especially if you know how to find it. And much of what Adrian was telling him was already common knowledge. Of course, Krycek wasn't here to acquire "common knowledge", and Adrian's military training afforded him ways of finding out information most people didn't know about. Those were the details Krycek was interested in, and Adrian took an annoyingly long time getting to them. On purpose no doubt.

As the conversation progressed and Adrian told him everything he knew, Krycek started putting the disparate, seemingly unconnected and insignificant details together, and he knew just where to go next.

Time to introduce himself to a new acquaintance.

---

Princeton Park found the Hung Dog with no problems. He assumed... correctly... that the kind of men Eric Hood was setting him up with wouldn't frequent the Dragon's Inn or any of the other 'respectable' establishments, so Princeton headed for the seedier side of town and asked a few of the less dangerous-looking people he found lurking there. After being cursed at, spat on, and chased for several blocks by a group of knife-wielding seven-year olds, Princeton came across a crew of drunks that were more than happy to point him in the general direction of the Hung Dog... for a small fee, of course. Once he got close to the old tavern, all Princeton had to do was follow his nose right to the front door.

The place reeked of urine, stale beer, unwashed bodies... and all the other scents that Princeton abhorred rolled into one powerful, pervasive stench. It was a small tavern, furnished with crude, home-made tables and chairs. The dozen or so patrons all seemed to be in various states of extreme drunkenness, each one nursing a filth-covered tankard of some ale-like substance. No one bothered to look up at Princeton as he entered... not even the bartender, who was asleep behind the bar.

"Ugh..." Princeton said with a grimace. He backed out of the tavern, but unfortunately some of the smell seemed to follow him out.

"Hey, you must be Park, right?" said a high, nasal voice behind him. Park turned and gave his typical greeting for people who surprised him:

"AAA! HELLP!"

"Shhh!" the man hissed. He was a man of average height, who seemed to be in his early thirties. His oily black hair was slicked back away from his face, accentuating his receding hairline. He was lightly overweight, but seemed to have a kind of nervous energy that kept him fidgeting at all times. His beady brown eyes darted furtively from Princeton's face to everything else in the area... and then back to Princeton. "Yeah, you must be Park... just like the big guy described. C'mon..."

"E-excuse me?"

"C'mon... we're around back." The man started to walk around to the rear of the tavern.

"I... I didn't catch your name."

The man stopped, turned around, and smiled.

"Heh, heh," he chuckled. "That's a good one! 'Name', he says! Heh, heh... you're a regular comedian! This trip's gonna be a lotta fun, I can tell that already!" He then started walking again.

"Uhhh... what... uhh..."

"Call me Bruce," said the man. "Or Vinny. Or Steve. Or Slick. I think I like 'Slick.' You like 'Slick?' How 'bout you just call me that, okay?"

"Okay... Mr. Slick."

"MISTER Slick! I like that even better! What a hoot!"

While Princeton tried to figure out what the hell was so funny, 'Slick' rounded the corner, ducked through a large hole in a wooden fence, and entered a dimly-lit alley. There were five other people waiting there. They had gathered themselves around a small fire, and as Princeton squeezed through the fence behind Slick, they all glared at him like vultures eyeing a fresh corpse.

"Dr. Park... meet your new crew. Crew... meet Dr. Park."

"How do you do?" Princeton extended his hand toward the closest member of the group.

"Less'n you wanna LOSE that hand, you'd better be stick'n it back in yer pocket there, sonny." said a deep, grumbling voice. "And don't be whippin' it out and wavin' it around like that no more."

"Sorry." Princeton lowered his hand.

Someone in the crowd chuckled, but Princeton couldn't tell who it was.

"That there is Red," said Slick, indicating the man who'd just spoken.

Red was a short, but very broad-shouldered man with a flowing red beard and a mangy mop of red hair. Both beard and mop were accented with streaks of gray. The man's face was rough and pockmarked, and had only one eye. There was a plain black eye patch where his left eye should have been. Red was leaning on an enormous double-bladed battle-ax who's handle was almost as long as he was tall. But judging from the size of his arms, Red probably had no trouble wielding the large weapon... no problem at all.

"...over there is Cole and Hendrix..."

Both men were suspiciously nondescript... average-looking men who were obviously very good at blending in. The dark-haired Cole was a bit taller and more handsome than Hendrix, who's blonde hair was meticulously combed. Cole nodded and smiled at Princeton, while Hendrix ignored Princeton completely... refusing to even make eye contact.

"...right here is Thurg..."

Thurg was huge. Not wide, like Red... but extremely tall with muscular arms. He looked like walking tree. Thurg had a blank expression on his face... blank, but still focused intensely on Princeton. The large man's cold stare sent a chill down Princeton's back.

"... and you know me. I'm Slick, remember?"

"Y-yes. Umm... who's that fellow in the back." Princeton started to point out the man that Slick had forgotten to introduce, but he quickly changed his mind.

"I ain't none of your business," said the last man. He was tall and thin. He wore a long coat, and had both hands stuffed deep into the pockets. He was frowning at Princeton... no, not frowning... scowling.

"Ahh, yes," said Princeton. "But what do I call you-"

"You DON'T call me!" said the nameless man. "You don't say NOTHIN' ta me unless I speak to you first, UNDERSTAND!!!"

"Yes, s-sir... but, uhh..."

"BUT WHAT!?!"

"Never mind."

"He has a bit of an anger-management problem," said Slick. "You'd best stay out of his way."

"So I see. Uhh... so, who's in charge of this little group?"

"Aint' NOBODY in charge," said Red. "Slick does all the talkin' 'cause he's good at it... but he don't give no orders. And neither do you, ya got that, skinny-boy?"

"Well... if w-we expect to return from this little trip, there'll be certain tasks that need to be performed-"

"We'll do our part," said Cole. Behind him, Hendrix nodded in agreement... but he still kept his eyes firmly fixed on the ground at his feet.

"Good."

"-And MY part's carrying the GOLD!" Red added. "There's gonna be GOLD on this here trip, ain't there? Hood said there'd be gold!"

"I fully expect that there will be, yes. But we'll have to reach the lost city first. We'll be going deep underground. Do any of you have any experience underground?"

"Yeah," said Slick. "I know ALL ABOUT underground! What do ya want, Princey... Drugs? Women? You name it... I can get it! Errr... for the right price."

"That's... uhh.. Not the kind of 'underground' I was referring to."

"I was just pullin' your leg, Princey! Although, I CAN get ya some good drugs and women if you want."

"No."

"Men, then? Or maybe a little something in between? I know this one place where they got-"

"D-Do any of you have any experience in caves or explorations?" said Princeton.

"Me and Hendrix used to work in mining," said Cole.

"Mining? That's good. What kind of work did you do, exactly?"

"Ya know... robbin' folks. Sabotage. Creatin' cave-ins and explosions. Sneaking in and out with drugs and valuables. Small-time stuff. We were good, too... never got caught. Except that last time."

"Yeah," said Slick. "It was Hendy and Cole that dug us outta that dungeon."

"Actually it was Thurg that did most of the diggin'" said Cole.

Princeton looked at Thurg. The tall man hadn't stopped staring at him the whole time.

"Sooo... you've got some cave experience too?"

Thurg said nothing.

"Thurg doesn't talk," said Slick. "But he DOES dig. And fight. And do just about anything else I tell him. Right Thurg?"

Thurg didn't move.

"He... is he okay?"

"Thurg? Oh yeah, he's fine. He just had a little accident when they captured him the last time. Show him yer accident, Thurg."

"No, really I don't need to-"

Thurg reached up and pulled off his hat. The man's head was a ruined wreck... there was a HUGE cleft in his forehead, as if someone had tried to cleave it down the middle with a sword but wasn't quite strong enough to finish the job. The skull had been fractured... almost shattered. The wound had healed long ago, leaving a deformed crater where Thurg's forehead had once been. The brain underneath could not have survived the affair intact.

"... my gods..." Princeton gasped. "... a frontal lobotomy..."

"A what?" said Slick.

"A...uhh... never mind. Cover it up, please."

"Hat on, Thurg."

Thurg replaced the hat and continued staring blankly at Princeton.

"What about you, Mr. Red?" said Princeton. "Ever been underground?"

"Yeah." said Red. He didn't offer any more information, and the look on his face told Princeton that it probably wasn't a good idea to ask. Princeton didn't even bother to question the angry, nameless man in the rear of the group.

"I suppose we have more experience that I anticipated," said Princeton. "That's good. That's very good. We'll be leaving soon. By the end of the week at the latest."

"We'll need equipment," said Cole. "That'll take time to get."

"Quite right. I'll purchase-"

"Purchase what you want for yourself," said Cole. "We'll get our own stuff. Me and Hendrix don't climb with other people's equipment, and I suggested to the rest that they don't either. Not even Thurg is that stupid... No offense to you, Dr. Park."

"None taken. Will you be needing money to buy-"

"Buy?" said Slick. "Who said anything about buying?"

"You're going to steal-"

"We don't like to think of it as 'stealing'," said Slick. "It's more like... uhhh.... errr... okay, it's stealing. That's not gonna be a problem, is it?"

"No," said Princeton. "Absolutely not. You gentlemen do whatever you need to do. Just be ready as soon as you can... please."

"We'll be here," said Slick. "Just come around when you're ready."

"Very well. I'll... I'll be around. Try not to... try not to get into any trouble 'borrowing' those supplies."

"We're already in trouble," said Red. "That's the whole POINT!"

"Right. Right. I'll... see you gentlemen later, then. Goodnight." Princeton backed away, ducked through the hole in the fence, and was gone.

"He called us 'gentlemen,'" Slick chuckled. "Oh, he's funny! What a hoot! 'Try not to get into any trouble,' he says... HA!"

---

Grar Raathruiné sat in the small room's only chair and rested his feet on the only table. The oil in the unused lamp sloshed from side to side. Rath watched it with disinterest. Though the room was dark and the curtains were closed, Rath could see perfectly with only the dim light filtering through the drapes. It was almost sunset, but to Rath it may as well have been early morning. Everyone else in the tiny city was going to sleep. Travelers were flocking to the inexpensive inn to find shelter for the night. For Rath, it was check-out time.

The darkness deepened... the moon and stars replaced the sun as the sky's source of illumination. Rath got up from his chair and swept his hand across his bald head, feeling the smooth, cool skin. He pushed his dark spectacles firmly onto the bridge of his nose, then snatched his small pack from the bed.

The day had ended. Time to leave.

Rath didn't know where he was going, and he really didn't care. He DID know that staying in one place too long tended to result in unwanted attention, so when he wasn't working, Rath became a nomad... traveling from place to place in search of nothing in particular. Unlike most nomads, however, Rath only traveled at night.

*knock-knock*

Rath frowned. He'd told the innkeeper not to bother him.

*knock-knock-knock*

He tilted his head downward and peered over the top of his spectacles, looking at the closed door. His eyes glimmered slightly, and Rath saw the glowing outline of a small humanoid figure standing in the hallway outside. The heat-profile looked like that of a normal human.

"Who is it?" said Rath.

"Message for Mr.... uhh.... Raw-thoo-wine?"

"Raathruiné." Rath corrected. He opened the door and looked down at the tow-haired young boy. "Who's it from?"

"I don't know," said the boy. "I just picked them up from the coachmen's station and deliver them. This one had your name, and it said to bring it to this room at the inn."

"Give it here."

The boy held out a small sheet of paper folded into quarters. Rath snatched it away, opened it, and read it:

"Mr. Raathruiné, I am an archaeologist in need of a experienced men for an upcoming expedition. You come highly recommended by an associate of mine, Dr. Zenn. He was impressed by your work on his last expedition, and I have similar work for you in Montfort, for which I am able to pay you handsomely. There will also be treasure, of which you will be entitled to a share. If you are interested, please come to Montfort as soon as possible. I plan to leave within the week, so your speed is of utmost importance if you decide to join me. I am sorry for the short notice. When you arrive in town, ask for Dr. Park. I hope to see you soon."

The message was signed by Dr. Princeton S. Park.

"Hmmm...." Rath remembered Zenn mentioning a man named Park on their last expedition... a former student of Zenn's. Perhaps this was worth checking into. But did he still have time?

Rath checked the date on the letter and saw that it was written just yesterday. It had come all the way from Montfort in one day... something not possible without some rather expensive magic. Not that Rath was impressed. He only cared about gold when he didn't have any, and his payment from Zenn would last him quite a while. Still, it had been quite a while since he'd last seen Montfort, and if he pushed himself he could make it there in a few days.

Rath pulled a single copper coin from the inside pocket of his trenchcoat and tossed it to the boy.

"Go away," said Rath. The boy caught the coin and sped down the hall.

A few minutes later, Rath walked the same path... down the hall and out into the night. He headed northeast. Toward Montfort.

---

"You want it WHEN!?" the stocky shopkeeper barked into Princeton's fact. Princeton sighed and waved his hand in front of his nose to clear the air. Princeton hadn't eaten breakfast yet, but apparently the shopkeeper had devoured an extra-large plate of fresh manure before reporting to work.

It was barely a hour after dawn, and the day was already not going well. Preparing an expedition was tough enough without having to deal with loud, smelly storekeepers. Princeton wasn't so naive that he didn't know what was about to happen... the storekeeper was going to use Princeton's insistence on a prompt delivery to inflate the price... a price they'd already spent over an hour haggling. Ordinarily, Princeton wouldn't stand for such foolishness, especially from someone as ridiculously ignorant as the shopkeeper appeared to be, but "Davit's Adventuring Supplies" was known for the impeccable quality of their equipment. The last thing Princeton needed was to end up sliding head-first into some abyss because he'd skimped on the climbing supplies.

"You heard me the first time," said Princeton with a stern voice. "Tomorrow night at the latest. At the ABSOLUTE latest."

"You ask for the impossible."

"Nooo," said Princeton. "What I ASKED for-" Princeton looked down at his list. "-was four picks, two shovels, one hammer, one large backpack, three hard-shelled canteens, one leather climbing harness with steel buckles, a pair of steel-toed boots with padded insoles, a set of climbing spikes, a steel grappling hook, two oil lamps, two flasks of enchanted long-burning oil, one flask of black powder, leather climbing gloves, two wool blankets, one large wool traveling cloak with inner and outer pockets, three weeks worth of dry rations, one six-inch utility knife, and a thousand feet of your best rope. Now you mean to tell me that you can't fill the ONE SIMPLE ORDER by tomorrow night?"

"I can't get all that equipment by tomorrow without CONSIDERABLE cost!"

"Ahhh, HERE we go again! We have already decided upon the cost!"

"Yes, but that was when I thought you wanted all this stuff next month!"

"NEXT MONTH!? My expedition leaves at the end of the week!"

"Yeah? Well you won't be getting very far with no equipment! There's nobody in town that can get all that stuff for you by tomorrow. Not for the price YOU'RE paying!"

"I will haggle with you no further, sir," said Princeton in an exasperated tone. "How much do you want?"

"How much?"

"Name your price. If it is reasonable, I'll pay it. If it is not, I'll find someone else to outfit my team."

"Good luck!"

"That didn't sound like a price."

"All right... how about you take our previous agreement and increase it by ten percent."

Without saying a word, Princeton turned around and started walking toward the door.

"Seven Percent!" the storekeeper shouted. Princeton kept walking. "FIVE! FIVE PERCENT MORE!"

Princeton stopped. He paused just in front of the door, then slowly turned around.

"We have a deal," said Princeton. "I'll expect my items to be at my apartment by sunset tomorrow."

"Midnight!" said the shopkeeper. "At LEAST give me until midnight!"

"Very well," Princeton sighed. "Midnight tomorrow. With an extra 50 gold pieces if you can make it earlier."

"You drive a hard bargain, Dr. Park. A pleasure doing business with you."

"Yes..." said Princeton as he left the store. "I wish I could say the same, you smelly inbred goat."

Princeton exited the store and made a left, intending to take a short-cut through an alley and emerge onto the main street. The alley wasn't dark, or ominous, or any of the other cliches usually associated with alleys in Montfort, so he felt reasonably safe walking the few yards that separated him from the morning crowd of early shoppers.

"S'cuse me, sir?" came a voice. Princeton turned to find that someone had followed him into the alley. A bum, dressed in tattered rags that reeked of stale ale and worse. He was hunched over and leaning to one side. A few flies buzzed around the man's head. Princeton ignored him and kept walking. "S'CUSE me, sir!" called the man. "I don' wan none of yer money... all I wants is the time!"

"Time?" said Princeton. He turned to face the man, and made a sour face as the smelly bum shuffled towards him. "It's MORNING, what the hell time do you THINK it is?"

"Ahh... but is it noon yet?"

"Noon?" Princeton glanced at the sun, which was nowhere near it's height. It was still early morning, after all. "Can't you tell time by the sun like everyone else? Of COURSE it's not noon!"

"Oh. Well that's too bad then," said the bum... still shambling toward Princeton. Princeton backed away, not from fear of assault, but from fear of getting some of the filthy man's smell on him. "Ya see... there's a cleaning woman that dumps her garbage and wash-water in this alley every day about noon."

"Well you've got quite a while before your lunch arrives," said Princeton.

"No, you don't understand," the bum finally stopped walking. He stood in front of Princeton. "See... if its gonna be a few hours before she gets here, then that means you'll be DEAD by the time she stumbles across your body!"

With a wild flourish, the 'bum' threw off his rags and drew a longsword.

"Now gimme yer gold!"

Princeton turned and ran-

-and bumped face-first into the robber's accomplish. An evil-looking man with a long hunting knife. Princeton bounced off of the man's burly chest and staggered backward. He spun around, and came face to face with the 'bum'. The thief stepped back and placed the tip of his sword against Princeton's throat.

"Don't make this any harder than it has to be." said the thief. "I'll let ya live if you've got enough gold on ya."

"E-e-enough?" Princeton stammered.

"Perhaps you should take your own advice," said another voice. At first, Princeton thought it was the other thief, but the voice was too smooth and cultured to be that of a common thug. Obviously someone else had entered the alley. "Don't make this hard," said the newcomer. "You gentlemen leave this man alone and go elsewhere."

"eh?" the thief with the sword scowled. He was looking at something behind Princeton. Princeton backed up and turned, almost ready to bolt. The tip of the man's sword prodded him painfully in the back. "Don't you be going nowhere, sport. Gallyc, take care of Mr. Fancy-Pants here."

Gallyc, the burly man with the hunting knife, snarled at the newcomer. The man was of average height and build, with nothing remarkable about his face except its cleanliness, and the uncommon gleam of intelligence in his eyes. He wore expensive looking white trousers with a matching jacket. The jacket was open, revealing a plain black shirt and a thin gold chain hanging from the man's neck.

"Mind yer business, Mister," said Gallyc.

"Again... you'd be better off of you took your own advice and left this man alone."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about him," said Gallyc. "It's YOUR arse that's in the fire, now! You looks like you gots some money... GIVE IT HERE!"

"No," said the man. No sarcastic remarks... no threats... just a simple 'No.'

Gallyc charged the man, swinging his blade in an arc at his intended victim's midsection. Princeton, thinking he was about to witness a bloody disembowelment, fought back the urge to close his eyes. He was glad he did, or he would've missed what came next.

The man in white moved like lightning, stepping to one side and grabbing his attacker's wrist as the blade sliced the air beside him. He executed a smooth twisting motion that Princeton couldn't even begin to follow... and the thief's arm ended up pinned behind his back. The strange man shoved Gallyc's wrist downward, and the knife fell from the man's grasp. Then he kicked Gallyc's legs out from under him. The thief fell hard, but he rolled to his feet and charged again.

"GET him, Gallyc!" the first thief yelled.

Gallyc threw a punch... but the punch never landed. Again, the stranger sidestepped it, grabbed his arm, made a quick motion-

CRACK!!!

"AAAAAAAAAIIIII!" Gallyc screamed as the bones of his arm snapped. The stranger wasn't finished. Still holding the man's shattered arm, he twisted it again, bringing it around and pinning it to Gallyc's back once more. Then he shoved Gallyc... hard... harder than Princeton would have believed possible. Gallyc literally flew into the brick wall of the store that Princeton had just left. His face hit the bricks with another loud-

CRUNCH!

Gallyc collapsed, and didn't move again.

The next thing Princeton knew, he was being pushed to one side as the first thief elbowed him out of the way and rushed toward the stranger. He swung his sword in narrow arcs and thrust with skillful jabs... all of which the stranger avoided with skillful dodges. After five or six unsuccessful attacks, the thief backed away as if he were giving up... then charged. He raised his sword high and brought it down in a powerful slash. The stranger sidestepped it and punched the thief in the lower-chest.

The sound that air made as it left the thief's lungs was something like:

"OOOOOOOOooooo-ooo-ooo-"

The thief froze for an instant as the pain from the punch raced through his body.

The stranger calmly, but quickly, reached up and snatched the sword from the thief's hand. The thief backed away a few steps, collapsed, tried to stand, collapsed again... and finally crawled out of the alley on his hands and knees.

"Robbing people in the light of day," said the stranger. "Seems they get bolder with every passing day. Are you unharmed, Dr. Park?"

"Y-Yes, thank you. Who-?"

"Who am I? My name is Durthan Krycek, student and master of the magical arts."

"Magic? But you didn't use any-"

"Why waste magic on common thieves?" said Durthan. "Sometimes the simple ways are best."

"Well, it's very fortunate that you came along," said Princeton.

"Fortune had nothing to do with it," said Durthan. "I've been following you this morning in hopes that we could speak privately. It's about a matter of some importance."

"Oh?" Princeton immediately became nervous again. Did THIS man intend to rob him as wel? "H-have we met?"

"No, we have not. But we most certainly share a common interest."

"And that would be what, exactly?"

"The Cthrain."

Princeton said nothing for a few seconds... he was stunned that Durthan's mention of the Cthrain, as was trying to figure out where this conversation was going.

"You are THE Dr. Princeton S. Park, are you not? Explorer. Archaeologist. Author of multiple books on ancient languages, cultures, and mythology."

"Not 'mythology,' Mr. Krycek. Merely facts that have yet to be proven."

"I stand corrected."

"What do you know of the Cthrain?"

"Not as much as you, obviously... but I HAVE been a fan of your work for some time."

"A student of archaeology?"

"Of magic, as I said. My interest in ancient cultures is more pragmatic than pure archaeology. Where you wish to learn ABOUT them, I wish to learn FROM them. And judging from your writings... and my own research... the Cthrain obviously have much to teach. They could manipulate forces that modern mages have yet to discover. Achieve effects with magic that are unheard of today."

"Yes... if you believe some of the more fanciful tales about them."

"Oh, I do, Dr. Park. And so do you."

"Perhaps."

There was an uncomfortable lull in the conversation, and then Durthan spoke again:

"The night before last, a creature was discovered at the old Sinterbourne property. By morning, news of it had spread all over the city... and to places beyond. The local paper even printed a drawing of the thing. A drawing that you no doubt recognized."

"Indeed I did."

"And so did I. I'd seen that creature's likeness exactly twice before... once was in a book that you wrote several years ago. A collection of anecdotal evidence supporting the existence of the Cthrain. The other was at an auction. A painting drawn by a man named Voorhee Sabrielli... now commonly known as 'Voorhee the Mad.'"

Park's thin eyebrow crept up onto his forehead. 'Voorhee the Mad' was certainly known to him... he was a fellow archaeologist, but much older. Voorhee believed in the Cthrain. He also believed that the world was flat and that it revolved around the moon.

"Hardly a reputable source for information," said Princeton.

"True. Voorhee's search for 'ultimate truth' has driven him insane, but he made this particular painting BEFORE he and his sanity parted company. He says he saw such a creature with his own two eyes on a volcanic island in the crystal sea. It is a perfect match for the drawing in the paper, AND for the one in your book. That painting is now in my private collection."

"Well, this is all well and good, Mr. Krycek. While I am MORE than happy to find another educated mind in Montfort, I'm afraid that now is a really bad time-"

"Yes it is. There are preparations to make, a team to assemble... you certainly have your work cut out for you."

"Preparations? T-team?"

"I'm referring to your expedition, of course."

"Expedition? What exped-"

"'Davit's Adventuring Supplies?'" Durthan laughed. He was, of course, referring to the building that Princeton had just walked out of.

"Of course," said Princeton. "My apologies. Its just that I'd rather not let the entire town know about it."

"I understand," said Durthan. "Tell me... have you found it? Did the creature yield some clue as to the Cthrain's whereabouts?"

"The Cthrain are dead, Mr. Krycek. They HAVE no 'whereabouts'."

"Indeed, but their secrets... their magic... is buried with them in that fantastic city that both you and I know exists. That's where you're going, isn't it, Dr. Park?"

"Perhaps. And I suppose you want to come with me?"

"Ahh... you've found me out, Dr. Park. I DO want to come with you."

"I thought so. I'm afraid I can't-"

"Before you say no, I want you to remember what it has been like for you... to be scorned and scoffed at by your contemporaries. To have your dreams laughed at in public forums. To be taken for a fool by those who were your friends, merely because your theories disagree with theirs."

"And your point, Mr. Krycek?"

"We have more in common than you know. These days, the schools of magic are busily re-inventing the wheel... literally killing themselves to come up with new and better ways to do things that really don't need to be done in the first place. They've all but forgotten the past... the ways of the ancients who's power was so much greater than their own. They laugh at the old legends, calling them everything from fanciful myths and outright lies. And they laughed at ME for attempting to learn something from those legends. There is truth in every myth, Dr. Park. Truth behind every lie. Knowledge and power... both in amounts beyond our ability to even consider... lay literally beneath our feet. My peers say otherwise, and they say that I am a fool for not agreeing with them. Tell me, Dr. Park... does that sound familiar?"

"Yes," said Princeton wit a sigh. "Yes, it does. But I still-"

"And need I remind you of the dangers inherent in your trip? I've been on such expeditions before, and I know that a good mage can be the difference between returning alive, and not returning at all."

"I had a mage on my LAST expedition. He didn't last very long."

"But as you've seen, I am more than capable of an handling myself."

"Against thieves with swords and knives," said Princeton. "But when we get down there, I doubt we'll have to worry very much about thugs jumping out of crevices and demanding our gold. We'll..." Princeton's words trailed away as he remembered just WHO ELSE was coming with him on this trip. Thieves. With knives and swords. "You're in!" he said. "You'll have to come up with your own supplies, but I'll be MORE than happy to have you along!"

Durthan looked confused... as if he had expected Princeton to put up more of a fight. The sudden change of heart made him suspicious.

"There are, complications that you are unaware of," said Princeton when he saw the look on Durthan's face. "My funding for this trip comes with a rather significant string attached to it... there will be some members of my team who are, shall we say, less than trustworthy."

"I see."

"No you don't... if you'd SEEN them then you'd have changed your mind about accompanying me."

"Ahhh...you're expecting trouble, then."

"Trouble is a certainty. But they're strong and experienced, and I simply CAN'T do without the money from their benefactor. I'd hoped to have some men I can trust along to help keep them in line."

"You can count on me," said Krycek. "You have my word, and my word is absolute."

Park doubted that very seriously, but at least Krycek would even the odds when trouble arose... as it most certainly would.

"I may be able to help you round up some more trustworthy men, as well. Men who can handle themselves in a fight, AND on an expedition. I have certain... connections."

"Good." said Princeton. "Very good." The two men shook hands. "I'm happy to have a fellow scholar aboard. We'll be leaving in a few days... as soon as I've sorted out the details and checked over the supplies."

"The sooner the better," said Durthan. "The sooner the better."


---

Lara watched the men from her perch on the balcony. Vithor, Juzh, Zachary, and Rester... the mercenaries Dokan had hired the night before, all mulled about in the hallway just inside Dokan's front door. The Rune Missionary had joined them a few minutes ago, but the large man stood apart from the others and appeared to be meditating while the others spoke amongst themselves. As far as THEY knew, they were alone... surrounded by paintings and statues and other valuable pieces of art that decorated Dokan's walls. The men glanced at the art, but made no move to take anything or explore the mansion beyond the hallway where Dokan had told them to wait. That meant that either they were honest men, or that they assumed they were being watched.

Not that they could see Lara. The balcony above the men was large, and she had stuffed herself into an impossibly small corner between the wall and a large wooden grandfather clock. The shadow offered her perfect cover, from which she could see and hear everything that went on below.

"...wish i knew what this was about," said Zachary. The brown-haired young man had his sword at his side, and his hand never left it. "He's already paid us for watching that ugly thing."

"Maybe he want's something else," said Rester. The ranger was slim and somewhat short, and he kept his dark hair tucked beneath a bright green cap with a feather sticking out one side. A small loaded crossbow hung from one side of his belt, and a longbow hung from his right shoulder. "Another job."

"Maybe," said Vithor

"See, I told ya Montfort was a good place to find work," said Juzh. While Vithor and Juzh were not twins, they may as well have been. They both had the same sharp features and dirty-blonde hair. Vithor was slightly shorter and broader than Juzh, but that was really the only difference between them. Except when they spoke. Vithor was a man of very few words, tending to speak only in one or two word sentences. Juzh was just the opposite, his mouth was always working, as if to make up for his brother's silence. "We've been here what... two days? We've already had one paying job and now it looks like we might be getting another."

"Yup," said Vithor.

"I'll believe it when I see the money," said Zachary.

Just then, someone knocked on the front door. The men looked at each other, then looked around to see if Dokan was going to emerge from wherever he was to answer it. The knocking continued. Finally, Rester opened the door and stepped aside as Sutton Woodbridge entered.

"Afternoon' gentlemen," said Sutton.

"Mr. Woodbridge," Zachary greeted him with a nod.

"Call me Sutton."

"Well, Sutton," said Juzh. "You have any idea why we're here?"

"I know why I'M here," said Sutton. "But as for you fellas... your guess is as good as mine."

"Well why ARE ya here?" said Zachary.

"Well, I-"

A door at the opposite end of the hallway opened, and Dokan Maxwell emerged from a small sitting room.

"I see our last guest has arrived. Please, gentlemen... join me?" He stepped aside and waved everyone in. As he did, his eyes glanced up at Lara. He winked at her. For an instant, Lara wondered how he knew she was there. Then she remembered... he wouldn't be Dokan Maxwell if he DIDN'T know.

When the last of the men entered the room, Lara emerged from her hiding place. She placed her hands on the railing and flipped over it. She executed a few acrobatic twists in the air as she fell to the floor below, where she landed on her feet without making a single sound. She followed the men into the room and closed the door behind her. Everyone was sitting down, except the Rune Missionary, who was standing in a corner, looking very much like a statue.

"Lara..." Dokan waved her over to the large padded chair next to his. Lara hesitated, then reluctantly sat down. She immediately began to squirm and fidget uncomfortably... Not because the chair was uncomfortable, but because she was sitting out in plain sight, right in front of the others. As a thief, she wasn't comfortable with being out in the open, which was probably why Dokan wanted her to join him. Another lesson to learn.

"Do sit still, girl," he said in a whisper so that the other's couldn't hear. Lara sat motionless in the chair.

"Okay, so what's this about?" said Zachary.

"Gentlemen," Dokan began. He used a serious, authoritative tone that instantly made everyone uneasy, with the possible exception of the Rune Missionary. "It appears we have been the victims of a most serious deception."

The mercenaries and Sutton all looked at each other with puzzled expressions.

"No, no one in this room is at fault... though it does represent an opportunity for all of us, if you chose."

"So what's going on?" said Rester. "This have something to do with that thing in the cage?"

"It does. I assume you gentlemen remember Dr. Park?"

"How could we forget," said Juzh. "He was talkin' to that thing, wasn't he?"

"He was," said Dokan. "And that conversation is the reason we are here. I have discovered that the creature had much more to say than what Princeton Park told us. A great deal more, in fact. Park was under the impression that he was the ONLY one who could speak the creature's language, and at the time, that was true. But, after some careful work by Lara here-"

Lara started to squirm again.

"-I now have a TRUE account of what was said."

"And?" said Sutton.

"Lara... would you mind?"

"Huh?" Lara looked up at Dokan.

"You made the translation, please give us a synopsis of it."

"I- yes sir," Lara looked out at the men. She started to speak-

"Stand up," said Dokan.

Lara stood up in front of the six armed men... armed men who would probably haul her off to the Tower Guard if they knew what she was... and spoke as smoothly and evenly as she could.

"Dr. Park asked the creature what it was, and it replied that it was a... well, the word does not translate directly, but the general meaning is 'carrion digger.' Park then asked if it was from the Old City-"

"What old city?" said Zachary.

"Could be the Undercity... beneath Montfort," said Sutton. "Is that it... that thing's from the Undercity?"

"Gentlemen, please," said Dokan. "All will be revealed in good time. Continue, Lara."

"The creature said it was from deep beneath the surface, where the Old Masters once lived. Park asked it how it came to be in Montfort, and it said that it sometimes the... uhh.. 'carrion diggers' come to the surface through large cracks in the ground. It described what sounded like a volcanic eruption that brought it here. It said that it was captured and sold to VonSinterbourne, who fed it fresh corpses of men and animals."

"Nice fellow, that VonSinterbourne," said Sutton.

"Then Park asked it if it knew how to get back to the Old City. The creature said yes... it said that after the fresh corpses stopped coming, it began to dig a tunnel. It said that there is a... road... an underground passage that leads to the city. That passage runs deep under Montfort, and the entrance to it is part of a network of caves beneath the city. The creature was trying to dig its way into those caves, so that it could go home. Park asked it some details about the passage, and the tunnel the creature was building... what direction it went, how long it was, etc. The creature answered a few of the questions, but then became reluctant to say any more. Park kept asking, the creature became upset and... you know the rest."

"So. Park's a liar," said Sutton. "And there's some city underneath Montfort. Hell, everybody already knows-"

"I assure you, Mr. Sutton, we are NOT talking about the Undercity. Thank you, Lara." Lara sat down, and Dokan Maxwell stood up. He paced back and forth in front of the men. "Park was after something else. And I believe he got it. Or he got very close to it."

"Got what?" said Zachary.

"Directions," said Dokan. "Directions to an ancient city filled with gold, magic, historical treasures, and who knows what else. And its underneath Montfort. DEEP underneath Montfort."

"Ahhh..." said Juzh. "I think I know where this is going. And where WE'RE going!"

"Wait, wait, wait..." said Zachary. "How do we know that this creature wasn't just making all this up?"

"Because," said Dokan. "I sent Mr. Woodbridge back to the ruins to investigate the creature's lair. What did you find, Mr. Woodbridge?"

"There's a tunnel there, all right," said Sutton. "Big... big enough for that creature to walk through with no problem. The walls are covered with that mucous that it spits. It goes straight for a few yards, then turns downward at an angle. Really steep. I followed it down for a ways, but it kept gettin' stepper... so steep that I didn't know if I could make it back if I went any further. I'd say the creature was tellin' the truth... it was certainly trying to dig its way to SOMEWHERE."

"Back home," said Vithor.

"Right," said Juzh. "He was goin' home, where there's likely to be a bunch more just like him."

"Which is all the more reason we should investigate," said Dokan. "These creatures are intelligent... but they tend to view humans as mere food. Now, thanks to the creature in the ruins, they have an almost clear passage from wherever they are... to where WE are. To Montfort."

"Hmmmm...." the Missionary's deep voice rumbled from the back of the room.

"Tell us about this city," said Sutton.

"I'm afraid the only person with detailed knowledge about it is Princeton Park... and he has already proven to be untrustworthy. All I know is what he's written in his books... it is large, most likely deserted, and very deep underground."

"How deep?" said Sutton.

"I'm afraid I don't know. Dr. Park asked it... but the creature's senses of time and distance are not like ours. It couldn't say how far it was, or how long it takes to get there."

"Who were the inhabitants of this city," said the Missionary. "Were they men of good... or evil."

"They weren't men at all," said Dokan. "They were the Cthrain. Creatures of legend, a race of beings so powerful that they were believed to be mythological. No direct evidence of their existence has ever been found. And there are no descriptions of them in any historical records. When they ARE mentioned, they are spoken of as... indescribable. As for whether they were good or evil, that much is known for certain... they were decidedly evil. Slavers and destroyers without peer."

"Were," said Sutton. "Past tense... 'were'... as in, they ain't around no more?"

"Supposedly they died out millennia ago."

"But the city remains," said Juzh. "Filled with all the stuff they left behind."

"And with creatures like the one we caught," said Sutton.

"The carrion eaters lived...live... around the city. Apparently there were no shortages of dead bodies for them to eat while the Cthrain were in power. Now, even with the city standing empty, the creatures refuse to enter the place."

"And how do you know THAT?" said Zachary.

"Mythology," said Dokan. "Myths and legends speak of this city and the creatures that lived there. Only the Cthrain and their slaves ever entered it... anything else approached the place at their own peril."

"You've told us a nice story, Mr. Maxwell," said Zachary. "But let's get the point. You brought us here for a reason, right?"

"Correct. I want to explore these tunnels... this passage beneath the city."

"And you want us to come with ya," said Sutton.

"Perhaps we will find this ancient city, perhaps we will not. At the very least, we should make certain that there are no more creatures in the vicinity of Montfort, and THEN seal the passage so that none can wander to the surface in the future."

"A treasure hunt," said Juzh. "I like treasure. Anybody else here like treasure?"

Vithor, Zachary, and Rester, and Sutton mumbled in agreement.

"My interest is in protecting the innocent from whatever evils lie in and around this ancient city," said the Missionary.

"You heard Maxwell," said Sutton. "We're gonna take care of that, too. Blow the tunnel after we finish looking around, right?"

"Hell, why stop there," said Rester. "Why not blow up the whole city and take the lot of 'em out?"

"I wouldn't go that far," said Dokan. "But we DO need to take steps to insure that no one else is harmed by those things."

"AND take steps to make sure none of us die poor," said Juzh. "Lets not forget THAT part of it."

"I take it that you are willing to join me?" said Dokan.

"Me and Vithor are in, right Vithor?" said Juzh.

"Yep," said Vithor.

"Me too," said Zachary.

"I'm more comfortable with forests and trees... not caves and rocks," said Rester. "But there's a first time for everything. Count me in."

"And you, my large friend?"

"I shall accompany you into these caves," said the Missionary. "To ensure that the cause of good is served by this... treasure hunt. But know this: should the city and its secrets be a threat to innocent souls, I will not allow anything from that place to reach the surface."

"Hey!" Juzh protested. "Speak for yourself!"

"There's nothing evil or threatening about GOLD now, is there?" said Rester.

"No," said the Missionary. "Love of gold is the root of much evil... but gold itself is a mere metal. Men chose to value it over life itself, but the metal is neither good nor evil."

"Good," said Rester. "We shouldn't have any problem then."

"We'll need more men," said Dokan. "A party of ten or twelve should be sufficient. We already have eight-"

"Eight?" said Sutton. He counted those in the room. "I only see seven men here."

"Ahh... I use the term 'men' in the non-literal sense."

"What, the GIRL!?!" said Sutton. "You can't be serious about taking a child down there!"

"I am NOT a child!" Lara protested.

"My niece will accompany me. I will be responsible for her safety-"

"Hell, You're just an OLD MAN!" said Sutton. "Uhh... no offense."

"None taken," said Dokan. "You will find that BOTH of us capable of much more than our ages would suggest. I trust no one in the city to look after her, and left alone, Lara would undoubtedly involve herself in some kind of trouble."

"What?" said Lara.

"Am I lying?" said Dokan with a wink. Lara sighed.

"Hey, she can stay with my brother, Carter," said Sutton. "He's got kids about her age. Maybe a little younger."

"No," said Dokan.

"Oh. Oh, I get it. Don't want her to stay with commoners, eh?"

"I do not NEED to stay with anyone!" said Lara. "I am old enough to take care of myself, and I've been doing it for quite a long time!"

"Fine," said Sutton. "So stay here."

Lara opened her mouth... then closed it when she realized she'd just talked herself out of what she wanted. She'd been outsmarted by Sutton Woodbridge. Dokan just looked at her, shook his head, and smiled.

"She comes with me," said Dokan.

"Fine... you're the boss," said Sutton. "But if ANYTHING happens to her-"

"Her safety will be my personal responsibility," said Dokan.

"And mine as well," added the Missionary, much to Lara's dismay. "No harm will come to her while I live."

"Same here," said Sutton. "Ain't no kids getting killed when I'm around."

"Ditto for me and Vithor," said Juzh.

"I'm NOT a kid!"

"Whatever," said Sutton.

"Mr. Woodbridge, I assume you know of a few workers who would be willing join us?"

"Sure. I can round up a few. They'll wanna get paid up front."

"I shall offer everyone a handsome salary, to be paid before we leave."

"Fine. I'll start askin' around. You get your gold ready."

"We'll need supplies," said Zachary "Climbing supplies. Rope and such. Blankets. That kinda stuff."

"I shall trust you to purchase what we need," said Dokan. "I'll extend you a letter of credit. Your budget is unlimited. Spend whatever is necessary to have everything ready within two days."

"That's gonna take a lot o' gold," said Zachary.

"I HAVE a lot of gold," said Dokan.

"Yeah," said Juzh. "And we're about to have a lot MORE!"

---

"ZZZZzzz... ZZZZZzzzzz...."

To say that Dr. Princeton Park was asleep would have been a understatement. His slumber was so deep that, if it were any deeper, it would have been necessary to surgically remove him from the bed. Not that he didn't deserve it. The supplies he'd ordered had arrived just a few hours before midnight. He paid Davit his money, plus the promised bonus, and immediately set out inspecting his purchases. Ordinarily, Princeton wouldn't have bothered with such a menial task, but he'd seen first hand what horrors shoddy, defective equipment could unleash on an unsuspecting expedition. He inspected every strap, every buckle, every harness, and every inch of every rope. After several hours, Davit's reputation for high quality goods remained intact. Princeton found nothing amiss, and settled down to sleep a few hours after midnight.

Princeton didn't hear the knock at the door just before sunrise. He didn't hear the knock become a loud incessant pounding. And he didn't hear the rattling of the doorknob as the determined visitor tried to gain entrance to Princeton's apartment. The next few moments of silence went unobserved by the sleeping doctor... as did the gentle *click* of the lock as the visitor picked it, and the low creaking of the door as it opened.

The visitor slammed the door behind him in an effort to wake the doctor.

"zzzZZZZ...mrremblelemmmm...zzzZZZZ...."

"Princeton Park?"

"....ZZZZZzzzz...mmmm... huh?"

Princeton awoke, and found himself staring up into the largest, blackest pair of eyes he'd ever seen.

"AEEEEEE-"

A cool hand clamped down over Princeton's mouth and shoved him back down onto the bed. Princeton's shock rapidly escalated into sheer panic.

"Shhhh..." said the visitor. Princeton realized that what he'd mistaken for misshapen, inhuman eyes were actually a pair of dark, round spectacle, perched upon a pale, but otherwise handsome face. The man's dark cloak and small backpack hung off of his rather slim shoulders, and the skin of his bald head reflected the sunlight that was just beginning to beam through the window. Princeton hadn't seen this man before, but he knew instantly who it was. He stopped struggling, and the man removed his hand from Princeton's mouth.

"Sorry for startling you," said the man.

"Ah. Seems to happen quite a bit lately... good thing I have a strong heart."

"You Dr. Park?"

"The one and only. You must be-"

"Grar Raathruiné. You sent for me. I'm here."

"And just in time, my good man. We'll be leaving today."

"Leaving for where? With who? And for what?"

"We're going to the lost city of the Cthrain... along with a bunch of bloody criminals. And if you worked for Z'enn, then you already KNOW why."

"Gonna need more details than that, doc."

"Oh, you'll get them. I'm meeting with the others at noon. You'll get all the details then."

"Good enough. Mind if I rest here?"

"Ummm... go right ahead."

Rath walked over to Princeton's window and pulled the curtains closed. Then he sat down at Princeton's desk and remained motionless. Princeton couldn't tell if the man was asleep or not, and after a few minutes, Princeton was too far gone to care.

He awoke again in three hours to find Rath sitting motionless in the exact same spot. It looked as if someone had propped a fresh corpse up at Princeton's desk.

"Mr. Raathruiné?"

"What?" said Rath.

"Just checking."

Princeton got up and got dressed. He gathered his supplies into an enormous bundle, which was much too heavy for Princeton to lift, but which Rath could carry with one hand. Princeton grabbed his crossbow from the safe and they left the apartment. The sky was dark and overcast, with thick clouds rolling in to block the sun. It looked as if a storm was on it's way in.

"Where we going?" said Rath.

"To the Dragon's Inn, to meet our mage."

"Didn't say anything about a mage," said Rath.

"I hope that's not a problem."

"Not for me."

They arrived at the Dragon's Inn with no problem. Krycek met them at the door, along with three heavily armed men. Each one had two swords and wore a set of black studded leather armor. Krycek had a sword as well.

"Hello, Dr. Park," said Krycek. "These are the men I mentioned. They come recommended by a friend of mine. Meet Borris, Drayn, and Williams."

"Mercenaries," said Rath.

"Yeah," said Borris, a wide man with a thick black mustache. "And you are?"

"Grar Raathruiné."

"He ALSO comes highly recommended," said Princeton.

Rath and Krycek eyed each other.

"What an interesting aura you have," said Krycek.

"Same to you," replied Rath.

"We're meeting the others after lunch," said Park. "And speaking of lunch, let's settle the payment of Krycek's men over a nice meal, shall we?"

"Not hungry," said Rath. "But I'll join you."

They ate at the dragon's inn, where Princeton paid the mercenaries... including Rath... and gave them some detailed information. Not about the expedition, but about the remainder of the team.

"Criminals," said Rath. "You're going deep underground... with criminals. That's not a smart thing to do, doc."

"But I don't have a choice."

"Sure you do. You could just not go at all."

"Surely you jest, Mr. Raathruiné. Do you have any idea how important this expedition is? How long I've waited, how hard I've worked? No, of course you don't. This is likely the only chance I'm going to get, and I'm not going to pass it up just because of a minor stipulation with the funding."

"Six murderers isn't a minor stipulation," said Rath. "It's suicide."

"I don't see where they'll be a problem," said Drayn, one of the mercenaries.

"Really?" Rath said doubtfully.

"Right. If they become a problem, then they'll very quickly cease to BE a problem. If you get my meaning."

"Oh, I get it," said Rath. "And I'd agree with you if we were on the surface. But we're not going to be. We'll be deep underground, where our survival will depend on how well we work together. Those men may be criminals, but some of them are experienced. They might have skills we need. If you go off killing them at random once we get down there-"

"I didn't say that," said Drayn.

"I think what we're trying to say, Dr. Park," said Krycek. "Is that you shouldn't worry about the criminals. They may make the trip unpleasant... and interesting... but my men and I won't let them become a danger to our success."

"Good," said Princeton. He looked out the window at the cloud-filled sky. "I suppose it's almost noon... time to go meet the rest of our team."

The group set off in the direction of the Hung Dog.

The criminals were exactly where they had been the first time, hiding behind a fence at the rear of the Hung Dog.

Princeton squeezed through the fence alone, and was greeted with swords and sneers from the six hardened criminals on the other side.

"Just me," said Princeton.

"Yeah, yeah," said Slick. "C'mon in."

Princeton entered the dark alley, followed by Krycek, the mercenaries, and Rath.

"Who the hell are THEY?" Red growled. He hefted his large axe and rested it on his shoulder.

"This is our team," said Princeton. "Rath, Krycek, Borris, Drayne, and Williams... meet Red, Slick, Thurg, Cole, Hendrix, and... uhh..." Princeton decided not to address the angry gentleman in the back.

"You didn't say anything about no mercenaries," said Red.

"YEAH!" yelled the unnamed gentleman in the rear. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TRYING TO PULL?!"

"Don't be ridiculous, surely you didn't think I was going down there with just you."

"What was that? YOU CALLIN ME STUPID!?" The man drew a short-sword and marched toward Princeton.

"Oh, my-"

"Behind me," Krycek stepped in front of Princeton while Rath moved to intercept the approaching man. The other three mercenaries had their hands on their swords, ready for action. Their attention was focused on Red and Thurg, who seemed to be the most dangerous of the thieves. Red was eyeing the mercs, trying to decide on which one he wanted to kill first. Thurg was staring blankly at Princeton Park.

Rath and the angry thief stopped just a few feet from one another.

"You gonna start something, you'd better start it now, before we get down below," said Rath.

"I ain't scared of you."

"You should be."

"Okay, okay, okay-" said Slick. The oily thief stepped between the two men. "Everybody calm down. Let's not get started out this way."

"Actually, I agree with Mr. Raathruiné," said Krycek. "If there's going to be trouble between us, then we should let it happen HERE instead of underground in some gods-forsaken hole. If the six of you won't be following orders-"

"We ain't takin no orders from NOBODY!" said Red.

"Then you won't be going," said Rath. "You can stay here and take your chances with the Tower Guard."

"Ohhh... Hood won't like that," said Slick.

"Do I look like I care?" Rath's eyes began to glow with a deep red light.

"What the hell...?" the angry thief backed away, but did not sheath his sword.

"Oh, you'd care if you'd ever met him," said Slick.

"I doubt that very seriously. Princeton Park is the man leading this expedition. He's the one paying me, and these other gentlemen here."

"And he's ALSO the most experienced," added Krycek. "He's done this dozens of times before, so if you don't see the logic in following his lead, then I'm afraid we don't need you."

"Logic, hell!" said Red. "We ain't-"

"Uhhh," said Slick. "Gentleman?" Slick waved the rest of the criminals over to him, and they began whispering among themselves. Rath backed up and stood next to Princeton.

"I wonder what they're saying," said Princeton.

"Slick is reminding them of their deal with Hood," said Rath, who could apparently hear the whispered conversation. "And of what'll happen to them if they stay in Montfort."

"Oh."

"Now he's reminding them about the gold, and how you're the only one who knows how to get to it. Now Red is saying that they need to keep you alive at least long enough to get to the city."

"Oh... how nice."

The group broke up, and Slick was smiling.

"Problem solved," said Slick. "Just a big misunderstanding, right?"

"Yeah," said Red.

"Good." Princeton emerged from behind Krycek and pulled a set of maps from his backpack. He spread them out on the ground. "Here's our route... or as much of it as will fit on this map. The creature's tunnel his here... it leads to this network of tunnels down here. Now these tunnels are mostly unexplored, due to their proximity to the Undercity. We'll be entering them through this abandoned section of the sewers, here. We'll have to break through this wall-"

"S-Sewers?" said Slick.

"Why not just take the creature's tunnel from the Sinterbourne place?" said Krycek.

"Because it sits on private property, and I doubt that Dokan Maxwell will allow us-"

"Allow?" said Red. "Don't nobody keep us from doing something we wanna do... private property or not."

"Yes, but, I have it on good authority that Mr. Maxwell is arranging a little expedition of his own."

"What?" said Krycek.

"I paid Mr. Davit a little extra to inform me if anyone else came around asking for supplies. Someone did, and they were working for Maxwell."

"Competition," said Rath.

"He's hired some men, and is going to enter the creature's tunnel at sunset tonight. Even with our side-trip through the sewers, we'll still have a significant head-start."

"What happens if we run into 'em," said Cole.

"I imagine they'll attack us on sight for trespassing."

"Fine by me," said Red.

"See, I told ya this trip was gonna be fun," said Cole.

"But another expedition in the tunnels with us is the least of our concerns," said Princeton.

"So what ARE our concerns?" said Slick.

"Yeah, what can we expect?" said Borris.

"Gentlemen make no mistake about it, this trip will be dangerous. We'll be doing DEEP underground, probably deeper than anyone has ever gone before. There will be deadly extremes of both heat and cold. Pockets of poisonous and explosive gasses. Quakes. The ever-present possibility of cave-ins..."

"Been there, done that," said Cole. "No big deal."

"Yah," Red added.

"And once we reach the city, there's always the possibility that the Cthrain left behind some traps to keep out unwanted visitors."

"I thought you said this thing was gonna be dangerous," said Cole.

"AS WELL as more creatures like the one captured days ago at the ruins."

"Hmmm," said Krycek.

"Now, back to the maps..." Princeton took the next ten minutes to explain their route through the sewers and into the tunnels. When he finished, he rolled up his maps and returned them to his pack. "Any questions?"

"Yeah," said Slick. "When do we leave."

"Right now," Princeton answered.

---

"Why are we leaving in the middle of the night?" said Rester. The sun was not far from the horizon, though no one could see it through the heavy clouds that hid the sky. The team of ten men... and one girl... made their way through the dark city toward the ruins of the Sinterbourne building.

"It isn't the middle of the night," answered Dokan. "But we're leaving under cover of darkness so as not to draw attention to ourselves."

"Isn't it past this girl's bedtime, old man?" said Sutton.

"I can go without sleep for significantly longer than YOU can," Lara retorted. She was excited to finally be underway, but the way the men kept referring to her as a child was beginning to make her angry.

"I still don't think its a good idea to take a kid-"

"Good idea or not, she'd coming with me," said Dokan.

"You men okay back there?" said Sutton.

"Yeah, yeah," answered one of three new members of the group: Jeris, Manth, and Voefeld were workers from Suttons's crew who'd decided to come along. Jeris and Manth were young, strong, and perhaps a bit too stupid to know what they were getting into. Voefeld was an old miner who was more than willing to add his experience to the group. He thought the whole thing was a bad idea, but gold was gold.

Each man had a heavy back strapped to his back... more than enough supplies for a few weeks underground. The Missionary's pack was twice as large as the others, as he was carrying some of the heavier equipment.

The group rounded a corner and the ruins came into view. The place was supposed to be deserted, but there were four people standing around the edge of the giant hole that used to be a building.

"What have we here?" said Dokan.

"I dunno... looks like trespassing ta me," said Sutton.

The group of four spotted Dokan's team. One of them... a large figure... broke away and approached. When the figure drew closer, it was revealed to be a woman. A LARGE woman... approaching seven feet tall.. dressed a strange suit of armor. A form-fitting leather piece covered the front and rear of her body from crotch to neck. Her sides were completely exposed save for the net-like webbing that connected the front and back pieces. Her golden hair was in long braids that disappeared down into her armor. Small beads were woven into the thin strands at regular intervals. Her arms and legs were uncovered except for boots and gloves. Various blades and other strange implements hung from her belt, though most of the men were too busy eying the woman's muscular body to even see the hardware she carried. Dokan noticed it, though... as did Lara.

"An amazon," said Dokan.

"...wow..." Sutton mumbled. "...oh... wow..."

The woman strolled proudly up to the group and looked them over briefly, as one would look at a collection of insects. Her eyes rested on Lara.

"Are you the owner of this property?" said the woman... to Lara.

"I...uhhh..."

"I am," said Dokan. "This place belongs to me."

The amazon shifted her gaze to Dokan, then turned back to Lara. The huntress bowed slightly. Lara bowed in return, and the amazon continued to speak."

"I am Thonia. I wish to hunt on your property-"

"I believe I already said that the property belongs to ME," said Dokan. "Not to her."

Thonia sneered at him.

"The land may be yours," she spat. "But since YOU belong to HER, it is to HER that I will address my question."

"Hey, hey!" said Sutton. "Don't nobody belong to nobody out here!"

"You allow your slaves to speak in such a manner?"

"What?" said Sutton. "Slaves!? Wait just a damned minute!"

"What was that you mentioned about hunting?" said Dokan

"My own slaves tell me that an interesting creature was found here. I wish to enter the cavern below and hunt for similar creatures."

"And kill them for sport," said Dokan.

"Of course."

"I'm afraid that won't be possible," said Dokan.

"Very well. I shall enter the caverns WITHOUT your permission." Thonia turned to leave.

"HEY, now!" Sutton protested. "Don't you go dis respecting the old man like that!" He walked up to the woman, who suddenly spun, grabbed him by the neck and lifted him up off of the ground.

"You DARE address a woman in such a manner!?"

"HEEEELLLLP!!"

Zachary, Juzh, and Vithor drew their swords, but the blades had hardly left their scabbards when Thonia grabbed a curved object from her belt and threw it-

"GET DOWN!" Dokan yelled.

Half of the group dropped to the ground just as the bladed boomerang whizzed through the air where their heads had been.
Zachary was a bit too slow, and the blade was heading straight for his neck

KA-TANG!

-it bounced off of the Rune Missionary's staff. The large man had thrust it into the path of the weapon, saving Zachary's life.

Thonia frowned.

"Who-"

"Release that man," said the Missionary. He stood before Thonia like a mountain of muscle. The amazon's eyes traveled up and down his muscular frame, and a brief smile came to her lips. Unfortunately, she was still choking Sutton with one hand. "Release him now."

"And if I do not, dark one?"

"I was not giving you a choice. You WILL release him."

"...help...help... somebody do somethin'..." Sutton gasped.

The Missionary didn't wait for Thonia to do anything else. He simply walked towards her.

"Lara," said Dokan. "Ask her to release Sutton."

"What?"

"Ask her! You're female, she'll listen to you."

"Thonia, please let him go!" Lara shouted.

Thonia looked at Lara, and then at the Missionary, and then at Sutton.

THUD!

Sutton hit the ground, suddenly released from Thonia's grasp.

"...ouch..."

"You should teach your men better manners, young one," said Thonia "Were we in the amazon homeland, they would all be dead."

"My apologies for their behavior," said Lara.

"I trust they will not interfere with my hunt."

Lara looked at Dokan.

"Perhaps you would like to join OUR hunt," said Dokan.

"What?" came a murmur from the rest of the men.

"Were you paying attention when she was trying to KILL me, old man?" said Sutton. Dokan shot him a nasty look, and he shut up.

"You hunt for the creatures as well?" said Thonia.

"And for a lost city."

"Lost cities mean nothing to me. And I hunt alone."

"Think of it as a hunting party," said Dokan. "Together, we can travel farther than you can alone."

"We would be honored to have you with us," said Lara. She didn't have the slightest idea why Dokan wanted this woman along, but she trusted that his reason was a good one.

"And your... slaves... as well," Dokan added, indicating the three other figures that had remained by the entrance to the ruins. "They are more than welcome."

Thonia thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Keep your men in line," she said to Lara. "And I shall join you. We travel together, but I hunt alone... NO ONE is to interfere with the hunt."

"Agreed," said Dokan and Lara.

Thonia retrieved her boomerang and walked back to her men.

"You mind tellin me just WHY you want that crazy bitch along with us?!?" said Sutton.

"She is going to enter those caverns with or without my permission. She can come with us so that we can keep an eye on her, or she can creep around down there on her own, with us having no idea where she is or what she's doing. Now which would you rather have, Mr. Woodbridge.?"

"I'd rather not have her at all!" said Sutton.

"I see yer point, Mr. Maxwell" said Zachary. "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer, right?"

"Correct."

"We'll have to watch her very closely," said Lara.

"With the way she was dressed, and the number of virile males in the party, I don't think keeping her under surveillance will be a problem. Besides... amazons, are a predictable lot. I'll be able to spot trouble before it occurs. Come along, gentlemen... it's time meet our new teammates. And please, do NOT speak to the amazon unless she speaks to you... understood?"

"Don't worry," said Sutton. He was rubbing the bruises on his neck.

"Very well," said Dokan. "Let's get this little trip started, shall we?"

[To Be Continued]