As the hum of the portal died, complete silence enveloped the entrance of the Gathering of the Entranced.  Baila’s normally carefree face was covered with a scowl for a moment.  Felia’s face drained completely of color.  Drake stood nearby, his face grim.

 

Mefis stood at the entryway, flanked by Justaius on one side, and Laila on the other.  A smirk crossed his face.  The ordinarily dim blue orbs suspending his cloak gleamed brightly.

 

Justaius looked around warily, his hand resting on a chakram.  His avatar was damaged, but he hung to coherence fervently.  His gaze wandered from member to member, warning each that while he was not here to fight, he would defend himself if necessary.

 

Laila’s face was a mask of fury.  She ignored the initiates, but glared directly across the room toward Felia and Drake.  She took a step forward, her hand already straying toward a chakram hanging at her belt.

 

Mefis stuck a hand out halting her.  She glared up at him, but he shook his head, and she stepped back.  Mefis took two steps forward, and looked directly at Felia.

 

“Members of the Gathering.” He announced loudly.  “A grave misdeed has been done unto this house, perpetrated by one that does not even bear its crest.  Lady Baila has swayed and manipulated you, using this house to her own ends.  I have brought your true leaders back to debunk these lies and half-truths that she has told you, and to help you dethrone your Shadow Ruler, along with her Puppet Queen and King.”

 

Baila placed her hands on her hips, staring intently across the room at Mefis.

 

“Members of the Gathering.”  Mefis declared again, loudly.  “I call upon you to cast these three unworthy out, and to welcome back your true leaders!”

 

 A murmur wafted through the crowd.  More than a handful of Gathering dreamers looked at Baila, Felia, and Drake with questions in their eyes.

 

“Oh, this is just so much bog slaver!” Baila cried, throwing her hands in the air.  “Drake, dearie, would you mind bringing our guests out?”  She gestured toward the portal, and Drake nodded stiffly.  He stepped inside.

 

When he returned, he was followed by two Dreamers.

 

Ravage stood proudly, a blood-red crest hanging from his neck.  His actions in alerting House Calenture to a forthcoming assault had finally earned him the rank of Guardian.  His suit of armor was cleaned off, but his hair was still an unkempt mess.

 

Behind him came a proud looking woman.  She bore a blood-red crest, this one bearing the symbol of the Protectors of the Radiance.  She was dressed in an immaculate set of armor, pristinely shined.  She looked over at Mefis, Justaius, and Laila, and sniffed in disdain.

 

“My beloved family,” Baila said, looking around.  “Given these accusations, I will not even attempt to defend myself through my own words – I must say, however, that I am deeply hurt by the questioning I see on your faces.”

 

She placed her staff in front of her, and rested both hands on it.  Mefis’ brow rose, as he watched the two newcomers cautiously.

 

“Master Ravage of the Gathering.  Do you recognize this Freespirit over there?” Baila said, motioning toward Mefis.

 

Ravage nodded.

 

“Indeed.  It was he who first passed us the information that the Gathering was seeking to attack House Calenture.  When I first saw him, he was speaking with Talon.  Talon was telling him that he could no longer complete a task, because he was hired instead by a representative of the Gathering of the Entranced to hunt someone.”

 

“Thank you, lad.” Baila smiled, reaching over and patting his hand fondly.  “So, you’ve hired Talon at some point in the past, Mefis?  Well, this means that either you were the one that hired him to attack Felia, or that Justaius actually did hire him to attack Felia.  Enough of that one.”

 

Baila turned toward the Guardian of the Protectors of the Radiance.

 

“And you, dearie.  Could you please tell us what happened at your meeting with Laila?”

 

The Guardian of the Protectors nodded firmly.

 

“Yes.  I met with Ruler Laila two weeks ago.  The discussion centered on a defensive agreement.  She offered training in return for the Protectors defending the Gathering should an assault happen.  We did not complete the agreement at the time, but left with the intent to continue discussions later.”

 

“I never denied that!” Laila growled.

 

“Why do you think she wished a defensive agreement, lass?” Baila asked, quietly.

 

“I was curious about that, myself.” The Protector said, folding her arms and staring piercingly at Laila.  “I had heard rumors that the Gathering was supplying one of the younger guilds attempting to overthrow House Calenture.  We were due to continue our discussions this week, so I sought out this young guild to find out the truth.  Upon finding them last night, they told me that they had been indeed been given chakrams from the Gathering of the Entranced.  They would not tell me the name of the supplier, but given recent circumstances, I don’t think it’s that hard to figure out.”

 

The representative of the Radiance narrowed her eyes toward Laila, “I do not appreciate people taking advantage of our hospitality with one hand, and causing mischief with the other.” She finished.

 

“I did not give chakrams to that guild!” Laila screamed.

 

“It seems that the evidence is against you.” Felia stated, firmly.

 

“I suggest that you three miscreants depart now.” Drake said, frowning.

 

“Oh, I don’t know.” Ravage said, patting his swords in their sheath, a dark grin covering his face.  “Perhaps it might be good if they hang around.  The ambassador from the Protectors and I may not be your allies, but I think we both have a score to settle with them.”

Mefis stood deep in the cave.  He had managed to make it back to Threshold and restore himself.  While in Threshold, he’d heard that both Calenture and the Protectors now offered rewards for his essence, along with the essences of the two ex-Rulers of the Gathering.

 

Mefis had concealed his presence, and slunk off to his cave to fume.  The light from the two blue orbs suspending his cloak were the only illumination, casting eerie shadows on the surrounding walls.  Suddenly, a voice behind him spoke.

 

“You just never learn, do you, my apprentice?”

 

Mefis smirked.  He hadn’t been called that for a long time, and only one person ever called him by that.

 

“Yes, Lady Baila, I fear I’ve become quite persistent.  I learned from the best, after all.”  He finished, bowing in acquiescence.

 

“Your ploys were visible from a mile away, dearie.  One would have thought you’d have learned over time.”  Baila said, stepping into the dimly lit area.

 

Mefis smirked, “Had I thought you were still taking such an interest in Felia, believe me, I’d have thought twice before continuing after her.”

 

“You did this all just to get Felia?” Baila paused, then laughed loudly.  “Dear boy, you really need to learn the proper way to win over a woman.”

 

“She chose the Gathering over me, because she desired the power of a house.” Mefis stated simply,  “I sought to prove that houses are only as strong as those truly ruling them.  I sought to prove to her that I could be more powerful than a house.”

 

Baila shook her head.

 

“Mefis, Mefis, Mefis… you always were simpleminded.  Is that why you thought Felia chose the Gathering over you?”  Baila asked, her voice soft.  “Felia is not like you and I.  She doesn’t seek power.  She seeks friendship and companionship.  She wants to be wanted by others – not to control them.”

 

Mefis’ brow raised as he watched Baila.

 

“You know, you could have had Felia’s heart if you’d simply joined the Gathering alongside her.  You’re all she talked about for at least three months after she joined that foolish house.” Baila paused, before continuing.  “Of course, with this latest escapade, that route’s pretty much closed off.  You’ve ruined any chance you still had with her.  Drake seems to be making eyes at her now, so I wouldn’t count on it being too long until the Gathering truly do have a King and Queen.”

 

“Mikael’s no longer there, you know.” Baila said, walking slowly around Mefis.  He turned his head, keeping an eye on her.  “After the Calenturian and Protector took off after your friends, I pointed out to those sheep that the Ruler who stood by and let all this happen on his watch was just as guilty as the other two.  Mikael didn’t even try to speak up.  I think he knew it was worthless.” She giggled.

 

“And you nearly had me with that last bit.” She said, wagging her finger.  “I never would have expected you to resort to something so drastic as telling the truth!  Just in case Laila tried something, though, I’d sent a bundle of chakrams to that young new Guild, along with the thanks of the Gathering.  They didn’t know who they got them from, just that they came from the house.”

 

Baila stopped directly in front of Mefis, and turned to face him, smiling.

 

Mefis’ gaze rose, and he stared directly at her, not flinching.

 

“Thanks to you, I’ve managed to rid the house of those two strong-willed fools, and gotten my two favorite pawns into position.  I should be able to make use of that house for a good long time.”

 

Baila’s smile turned downward, into a scowl.

 

“However, it still appears that the lesson hasn’t been learned.  I would have hoped that an intelligent fellow like yourself would get the point the first time, but it appears you haven’t.  I have no choice but to resort to further methods of instruction.”

 

She pulled back her staff as if to swing it at him.  Mefis leapt backwards, drawing his blade.

 

“Hah!  You believe you can combat me, you old witch?  You may be smarter than I, and able to outmaneuver me in plotting, but I’m a fair bit younger than you.”

 

His hand darted beneath his robe, and he withdrew a wicked shortblade, with several barbed points jutting out in every direction.  He pulled his arm back, and prepared to leap at Baila.

 

At that instant, a sharp pain struck his back and a pair of metallic points sprouted from his chest.  He felt a pair of claws raze across the back of his neck, slicing into his avatar.  With those two slashes, his avatar was torn to shreds, and dissipated.  He floated over the essence, his non-corporeal form glaring at Baila.

 

Talon stepped from behind him, forward to Baila.  Baila patted his hand, and handed him a handful of elemens.

 

“You performed wonderfully, dearie.”  Baila said, smiling warmly.  “I thank you for your services.”

 

“A pleasure doing business with you, m’lady.”  Talon replied in a businesslike tone.  He snapped his heels together, turned, and walked from the cave.

 

Baila stooped down, and picked up the essence lying on the ground below Mefis.  Mefis fumed impotently, glaring at her balefully.

 

“Remember this lesson, Mefis.  You will never be able to out-think me.  I have a great deal more experience at this type of thing than you.  While I enjoy watching your impotent attempts at manipulation, I tire of cleaning up from your charades.”

 

"Take this as your last warning.  The Gathering IS mine.  I will brook no disobedience or mischievousness from you in this.  Forget Felia.  You have done so much now that she will never want you again.  Your attempts to win her over are foolish, and they are a waste of my time.”

 

Baila turned, and began walking out of the cave.  Before she exited, however, she turned and cast one last look at Mefis.

 

“I will be watching you.  Do not think for a moment that you can continue your actions as you have been.  If you attempt to proceed, I will have every house in the city hunting you, and you will not be able to leave Threshold without a cadre of hunters after you.”

 

She tilted her hand, and smiled sideways.

 

“And who knows.  Perhaps someday, if you gain a bit more intelligence, you may eventually hit your stride and I’ll have a use for you.  Or perhaps someday, you’ll make a worthy opponent.  Either would prove to be equally interesting.” She finished, with a smirk.  Then, turning on her heel, she put her cane back in front of her and hobbled out of the cave.

 

Mefis shook his head angrily.  She was right, of course.  She always was.  And the more he thought about it, the less he really wanted Felia.  They were too different.

 

“Enough of the Gathering.  However,” he said, raising his head and looking out of the cave toward the sky.  The sky gleamed brightly, a sharp contrast to the darkness inside the cave.  “There are always other houses.”