Myra furrowed her brow. He couldn't wait for what? Trenton coming? It was impossible. She thought she'd have known when he returned. But...no. She watched Khellenduras carefully, her heart pounding in her chest with the palpable tension in the air.

He moved to look out the window that faced the glade, brushing past her. "The shrine. That will be my focus. There is enough mana already sustained in it. It will work more than perfectly." He spoke quickly, more to himself than to her, not going into detail. He nodded once, confirming his frantic speech. He looked at her. "It will give me the advantage needed." He waved a hand and disappeared as the door downstairs opened. Sinjun ascended the stairs.

"Did I miss him, or did the coward just hide?"

"You...really shouldn't be here."

"Aye, I know that. But I'm here. I'm tired of waiting for others to stand by your side. I may not be elven or worth much in most eyes around that blasted place, but I'm here."

Myra smiled faintly. "For that, I thank you deeply Sinjun, but... you must go. Please? He is... well... You just..."

"Nope."

A voice screamed in Myra's mind. She squeezed her eyes shut, holding her hands to her head.

"Ah I see. You hurt her to get me to leave?" Sinjun spoke out to the lich she was sure was still there.

The voice came again in Myra's mind. "I will kill her, I swear it!"

"He'll kill you Sinjun! Please!"

Sinjun looked at her with a blank expression.

The shrieking continued.

"You know. In the last two days, thats the 3rd time someones said I should be dead."

Myra cringed, the pain in her mind growing. "N'uma! You shouldn't! That's why I'm begging you to go!"

"First the bonehead and then the bitchy elf, now a cowardly lich. Come out you bastard. Quit hurting her to make your point!"

He materialized. He stepped forward at his full height. Myra stood between him and Sinjun. He gave Myra a look that sent a shiver down her spine, almost as if he were testing her at that moment. They argued. Him asking and telling her to leave, her refusing.

"I have things to discuss with the Dae'vanir." Khellenduras stated simply.

Sinjun paused. "Mm..well then. If you don't want my offer of help...either of you. I'll leave you to your plotting and planning."

Khell motioned for her to go. Myra lowered her eyes. Sinjun regarded her for a long time and finally nodded, leaving.

He continued on. "The ritual involves a link to the Glade. The shrine will be the focal point. Myself, a conductor of sorts."

"And... me?"

He pressed on with his sentence, not stopping ot answer her question just yet. "With the spells in my tome I will channel the energies of the Glade... the life energies will be transferred to me through the shrine." He paused, fixing his eyes on her. "You, my chylde... Will keep the others at bay. Make sure all who are at the Silver Arrow remain there. Any others in the glade, keep them from the Shrine. I will be quite... helpless. The ritual will both immobilize me.... and destroy my phylactery."

She noted his hesitation to state the last bit, but what surprised her the most was that he said it at all. He was trusting her? Impossible. He had already stated that the idea of trust could not apply to him. He lived by schemes, lying, and betrayl.

"But..."

"My phylactery will be destroyed, thus rendering me "mortal"...If the ritual is completed without interuption... I will have no need for a phylactery. If I am disturbed before it finishes, then I am indeed mortal again. And can be slain easier than yourself. For I will be immobilized. I trust you to keep them all in one place. If I suceed... All those who crossed you will be dealt with. Now go. Time is short."

With an uneasy feeling in her stomach, she turned to go; only catching a momentary glimpse of the cold and callous smile he gave her. She returned to the Arrow, her mind awhirl. At first she was sure this would be her chance to redeem herself with her 'family'. Then her mind stopped. No. This had to be a trick. He would not trust his entire existance in her hands like this. So easily. Her former suspicions returned. Her mind was a tumult of thought. Those who had known where she'd been pressed her for answers.

After a moment, her mind was made up. She looked to Brisid. Leaning over, she whispered something in his ear. With a frown, Brisid drew his sword. Myra was escorted, at sword point, to the Shrine of Justice. Khellenduras awaited them there. He was not performing any ritual. Myra knew it the moment they came near. This was a test of her 'loyalty' to him, and by his standards, she had failed. By her own, she had passed with flying colors.

Before Q'wellen, Brisid, Sinjun, and Strongbow, Khellenduras declared Myra a traitor to him and stated their deal broken. She was no longer under his protection. Myra did not want to contemplate what that would later entail. For now, she was satiated to know that he did not trust her. She had not expected him to. He excused himself to return to his studies, and the group returned to the Arrow. Glorfindle burst through the doors a few moments later, huffing for breath. Myra sat at a table with him and Thrand. She felt somehow lighter of spirit.

Shortly thereafter, Glor left for home, as did she. Entering her home, she saw a piece of parchment on the floor. Picking it up, she recognized the handwriting.

"Did you actually believe I ever had faith in you? I never trusted you, Shadow Walker...

You were a fine instrument and an essential tool in my goals... However, your edge has worn and I am now entering into times far too precious to let a traitorous forest mongrel be involved.

No Myra. You are no longer mine. You will never be again. Just as Mord'sythe did, I now cast you out amongs the rubble you forged for yourself. Live in your ruin of a life. Plague yourself with nightmares everynight...! And know that I will no longer be there to watch you...

I am what is left of your life, Myra....

And I no longer care.

-Khellenduras-"

She lowered the parchment, her eyes distant in thought. Yes, her life was nearly all a pile of rubble. And most definately a mass of ruins. But from where she stood now, she could see some sparkles among the dirt and rocks. As he had said before, she was now a strong willed soul. Yes, he was in part responsible for that. She would never forget that which had brought her here. But now she'd use that self determination to rebuild her life.