"Do we always greet guests outside?" She glanced at the crowd standing around. She moved to stand beside Ainuyr, as he appeared to be the one with whom Andrew was "facing off".

Mike replied offhandedly. "Well it is a nice evening." Allanen was standing on the steps to the Arrow and added, "Some 'guests' are best left outside." And Ainuyr commented quietly, his eyes never leaving Andrew, "I'd rather be standing."

Andrew shot her an unamused look, and returned his attention to Ainuyr. Myra replied to the unamused look with a sweet smile for Andrew.

Crimson spoke up, "We are listening to the lich's lackey here."

"Oh? Is he telling a good tale?"

That seemed to get Andrew's attention, though he pretended to ignore Crimson, and turned his attention once more upon Myra. She was feeling so antagonistic... she almost hoped he'd try something.

She heard Mike from somewhere off to her side, "He is bearing the forked tongue of the lich."

"Perhaps you know the answer. Afterall, you were present when I presented the proposal..."

Myra moved just a bit closer to Ainuyr and he seemed to relax a little, but kept his eyes fixed warily upon Andrew.

"You've come for your answer then?"

Andrew nodded once. Her pale green eyes locked on his own blue gaze. And she smiled. A large, very happy smile. The smile of... well, an overly pleased smile.

"I think you might be pleased." She began.

Andrew stood up straight, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade.

Myra continued. Let him attack her here, in front of all of these people... "But if I recall correctly, I can sum up our answer in just two words." She gave an exaggerated look of feigned thought. "I believe what you can tell Khell is..." She spoke slowly to drag out the sentence. " "Stuff it." " She finished her statement by smiling her prettiest smile and fluttering her lashes at him.

"Well said." Ainuyr nodded with grim approval.

Andrew's expression twisted very slightly, hardly noticed, and then he closed his eyes for a moment. Seemingly reluctant? "Very well." He gave Myra a short bow, which she returned with a mocking curtsey. "I shall see you on the field then..." With that, he turned on his heel and walked away.

Myra was nearly giddy. "Oh, that made me feel MUCH better!"

The group of them fell into light conversation, discussing Andrew Do'Kora and his new 'master', Khellenduras. Myra was feeling on top of the world, though. Myra began thinking... She could have followed Andrew, she was pretty sure. A few days past, K'ryn had come to her and warned her of a new temple...

Maligor interupted her thoughts, "Myra, what do you seek at Khell's home?"

Myra frowns slightly, ignoring his question, instead she sent off a pigeon or two with some messages. Now was as good a time as any to see if any of the scholars she'd hired had found any information for her.

Something else caught her eye in the sky, as she released a third pigeon... A raven. Its hoarse call resounded over the forest as it circled above the Silver Arrow. Absently, she set her hand on her quiver. All the arrows held within were made by her own hand, and fletched with the feathers of those accursed birds that were sent as spies for Khellenduras.

Myra strung her bow, watching the bird circle.

Maligor and a female friend of his, Alyzia watched the bird overhead, as Myra paced. "If it bothers you that much, shoot it down," Alyzia said.

Myra frowned and hesitated... Taking an arrow from her quiver, she noched it and drew back, taking careful aim. One shot was all it took, and the raven fell to the ground with a thud, Myra's black fletched arrow protruding from its body.

"That oughta get his attention."

***********************************
Myra looked down at the dead raven near her feet. Stooping over, she lifted it, using the arrow as a handle. At that same moment, she felt a familiar presence nearby.
Khellenduras himself stepped forward from within the dark shadow of a tree.

She hadn't really expected him to show up, but she recovered from her surprise quickly. "Got something for you." She tossed the dead raven to Khell's feet.

Khellenduras looked down at the dead bird, and then lifted his gaze to Myra. His eyes were still not eyes, but instead the cavernous sockets she remembered. She met his gaze, but could not help herself when she took a step away from his now more powerful presence. "It was annoying me." She said simply.

Everyone's eyes seemed to be on Khellenduras and Myra. Maligor and Galahad stepped forward, standing side by side in front of Myra... separating her from the lich.

You speak for the Grey Company when you reject my terms, elf...?

Myra pulled herself up to her full five foot and two inches of height. "I do."

Khellenduras took a step forward. The large bulk of Caramon Majere's warrior body dwarfed Myra's form in comparison. It was meant to be an intimidating move. It worked. Myra bit the inside of her lip, but stood her ground.

Khellenduras moved his hollow gaze to Ainuyr, the only other member of the Grey Company still present. Is this true...?

Ainuyr nodded his head just once in the affirmative. "Uma."

She saw Mike nod from the corner of her eye, and all hands but hers seemed to be on some kind of weapon, if not already holding one. Even Khellenduras brandished the antique war mace he'd had when he'd visited her last.

His emotionless, lifeless face turned again to Myra. With careful movements, almost painfully slow to behold, he settled the war mace into its ring on his belt. Myra's eyes strayed to the strange lantern he held in his other hand and in that instant... she knew it was the Lantern of the Wraith. She watched him carefully. When next he spoke again, his voice came slowly, but rolled like waves upon the rocks of a cliff.

You have answered for your kin, Myra. Therefore you shall be the first to face their fate.

Myra narrowed her eyes at him, momentarily forgetting the lantern. She was ready to spring on this lich and tear at his face with her bare hands. It was then that Khellenduras lifted the lantern. Immediately Myra's senses came back to her and her eyes widened. He really meant to kill her this time, with that.

Her voice was barely audible, "...you have it..."

The world seemed to tilt beneath her feet as time stood still, and yet everything seemed to happen at once. She heard blades being unsheathed around her, as she watched Khellenduras open the shutters of the lantern. Her eyes found the black flame that burned within. It was all she could see.

Myra felt the tendrils of coldness reaching into her. She didn't feel it with her body. No... she felt it with her spirit. They writhed and slithered, attaching to her and drawing her away from herself, a little at a time. Slowly, agonizingly slow. So this was the end, she thought. Somehow she wasn't frightened.

Nor was she about to give up to this lich.

"You..." her breathing was coming in gasps as the pain of her life draining away tore at her very being, "...will pa...aaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Myra dropped to her knees, doubling over with pain. The last time she'd cried out in pain was... When Khalin had stabbed her. Remembered pains combined with the agony of the lantern.

Khellenduras' empty eyes stared at Myra, and the flame of the lantern burned brighter as she collapsed to the ground.

The world began to grow fuzzy around the edges of her vision. She saw Maligor step directly between her and Khellenduras. And she heard Galahad's voice, "Stop!" She heard a sword whistle through the air before her world faded into nothing.