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Gating her army at leaps and bounds finally reached a deep green, verdant valley bordered by the high peaks which typified the Black Mountains, home to many dwarven clans and other hidden dangers. She turned to the duke as the dark elves took in their surroundings.

"Duke, rest your men here for now, I need to regenerate my energies also."

He nodded, "Of course, madam". As she smelled the air and soon found a nearby stream's sweet, clear scent he moved to his lieutenants as they organized the unit's bivouac. She sat within the thick ferns and dark brown, mossy ground and closed her eyes, easing her mind from trouble and concern as Adgertesse' headed for the nearby stream. Drawing in the primal essence from the world, she refilled her spirit from the many jumps they had made since leaving Warwick three weeks ago, this morning.
Soon, two familiar pinpricks of golden light caught her attention in the swirling colors. Katsandra and Danaca were not far to the northwest of her now.

'What are they doing out here,' she asked her spectral protector.

'The same as you. Looking for Enestius with a unit of templar and paladin from Exmoor.'

Kailee chuckled inside, knowing their presence may only complicate things now.

'Your diplomatic skills will be tested once these two armies meet and join to defeat your enemy. There's also a large dwarven contingent called upon by Thurgen on their way.'

'I didn't want the girls involved in this fight,' she thought with some trepidation.

'They've come into their own this past year, seen and done much. Don't worry about them, they're more than capable to do what they must.'

She nodded and sighed, then finished her meditation, her inner reservoir filled. When she opened her eyes, the darkness of night was upon them and most of her army slept to her near right with Tess also asleep at the base of a large oak nearby. Half turning, she gazed up to the sergeant, "Allow your men to rest, tomorrow will be a long day".

"Yes, ma'am."

She lay down and closed her eyes, hoping to finally finish this festering evil which had found a way to infect the world but, also dreading who she must face. Putting the thoughts from her mind, she soon fell asleep.

Birdsong echoed through distant boughs as the golden rays of sunilght pierced the upper canopy, waking Kailee to a new day. She rolled onto her back and looked up into the towering, gnarled brown columns reaching into the dappled ceiling of green.

"How'd you sleep," Tess asked as she approached and sat to her left, large yellow-green fruit in her hand.

"Fine, you?"

Nodding as she smiled, the nightblade took another bite. "I live for days like this, you know that."

She sat up and chuckled, "Yes, I know how you get," she sighed and looked towards the camp as the knights ate breakfast. "I'm not totally sure I'm ready though." Golden eyes turned back to her friend whose serious face leaned forward.

"She gave up that honor of being called a friend long ago. Tia's part of an organization that just burned our town to the ground with no remorse. Think of that instead."

Kailee agreed. "I know, you're right." She pushed herself up and brushed off bits of moss from her cloak as she turned to the men who all stood in unison with her. "Please," she motioned. "It's alright men, finish eating. I've just discovered we have friends on the way and I need to parley with them. Remain here and I'll be back shortly." Her eyes caught the duke as he stepped up.

"Your Highness shouldn't travel alone, these mountains have a reputation for...old allies."

"I won't be long, I promise. Make your preparations for battle and I'll be right back to gate us to his castle."

He bowed which she returned, then moved towards her royal guard whom she knew would have to accompany her as Tess also stood and waited. Concentrating, she found Katsandra and Danaca again, then allowed her mind to drift around their surroundings to pick a good spot to gate to without alarming the three hundred knights of Arhus with them. With her right hand, she wiped a large opening to another stand of pine and oak to allow her escort to enter first, then followed them in and dropped the portal behind her.

Mentally she reached out to Danaca, 'Hey kid, let your friends know I'm not here to harm anyone.'

'Aunt Kailee?! Where are you?'

'Not far to the southeast, approaching now.'

"To arms," the sentry yelled and she soon noticed shiny helmets and the black surcoat of Exmoor as swords sang from the belts of the ten behind her.

"No," she motioned to the escort. "These are friends, stand down."

"Hold," another command came from deeper in the forest and she turned and waited for him to approach. Soon, a middle-aged man whose tanned face told of years in the service of their diety made his way to the line of templar waiting the word to attack. "You be Kailee?"

"I am. I'm not come to fight but, to offer my hand in friendship and assistance. We're both to the same destination, sir. Enestius sent an army to burn my home not three weeks ago. You have three friends of mine among you, they can vouch for me."

He nodded, "They already have, madam," he smiled and motioned her to approach. "I'm Sir Clement, Knight-Commander of Exmoor."

"Kailee of...Wroclaw, pleasure," she introduced as they walked towards him.

Turning to his sentries, the paladin motioned to his men, "Sheath your swords, brothers". A command that she repeated with her hands and soon, the guard complied. He looked at her small group, then glanced behind. "Is that all you've brought with you?"

"No," she shook her head, smiling. "The rest are some leagues away at the moment. I've come to offer my abilities to find his castle and relay it to you so you're not wandering these mountains looking for him."

He nodded. "That would be fine, though we've been at this business of finding evil no matter where it sleeps for many generations." Kailee wondered why she had escaped for so long if that was the case. Happily, two young brunettes approached and her face lit up immediately.

"Good to see you're both well," she stated and hugged them tightly, then allowed Tess to do the same.

"We were told you were on your way," Danaca began. "I was hoping to see you again before this was over."

She grinned and nodded. "I guess there's no way I can talk you both out of attending this battle."

"No way," Danaca stated emphatically. "He's overdue and we saw what he did to Warwick. I also promised Lericanin her head."

Kailee nodded, unenthusiastically, not sure how easy that promise would be to fulfill.