Amon walked on for quite some time before his pace slowed and he began more of a trudge along the road. His mind was whirling with different thoughts, coming from all corners; his parents, Isis, and another presence that he could not place, but that worried him somewhat. He stopped walking altogether and turned, trotting back to where Fury walked. He grew somewhat alarmed when he saw the tearstains on her cheeks.

What's wrong, love? he asked, but it took only a quick sweep of her thoughts to know what was the matter. Amon frowned and dropped his head, reaching out and taking Fury's hand and raising it to his lips. I'm sorry. Anxiety, nerves...it's all closing in so quickly...I fear for the path that lays ahead of us. I am uneasy...and it makes me want to hurry along. That's no excuse for leaving you behind, though.

He stepped closer to her and slipped his arms round her waist. Lowering his head, he pressed his forehead against hers, tilting her head back. He ducked his head lower and kissed her softly, tightening his grasp round her waist. Amon let himself sink into the kiss, enjoying the taste of her mouth as he did. His hands roamed up and down her back, and he slowly began to pull away.

Amon's breathing was somewhat labored as he did that. He let his hands slide down Fury's back and back to her waist. He kissed her quickly one last time and then took her hand in his. He did not step away from her, but looked down into her eyes as he spoke.

So do I get another slap of the sword, or do I escape unscathed? he asked, grinning.

(my apologies for not replying sooner...)

Kotori listened to Fury's words to her and nodded, drawing strength from her former leader. She concentrated and focused in an attempt to keep the dread woman's voice from driving her mad again. However, she soon found that concentration was not necessary as the attacks from the shadows of the forest soon drew her full attention.

Against the flora of the forest, the half dryad had the distinct advantage. However, against the fauna she was forced to struggle more. In the end, though, she held her own with only a few new cuts and gashes on her arms, legs, and one across her cheek for her troubles. Towards the end of the battle, though, Kotori heard something very akin to a dry whisper on the wind.

........"Kotoriiiiiiii.............

She froze, her gold eyes going wide. She whipped her head about searching the shadows. "...Rai... Raistlin...?" she whispered so soft even she could barely hear herself.

Of course she got no reply.

It shook her. It shook her so much that, for the time being, she forgot all about how the Dark Queen's voice had been plaguing her before. Once the chaos of the spiders had passed, Kotori walked along side the others in silence, drawing her hood about her face so that barely the bottom half was revealed. Then she looked about, searching once more, only this time not for phantoms from her past.

"Where is Ten?" she asked tenatively, her voice raised just enough for the others to hear.

I'm here.

He spoke from the shadows beyond the trees and they did not move to attack him. With the death of Gotha the forest had been purged of its consciousness. He did not return to the road, but leapt upward into the highest branches of the trees and climbed through the canopy.

Standing atop the green, he looked out over the vast expanse of the forest and saw the clearing not far ahead. The mountains beyond towered into the sky and gleamed in the dull light of sunset. The clouds seemed to group at their pinnacle and were now slowly pouring downward.

He dropped back to the forest floor and spoke softly to the group.

The clearing is not far. The fog will be thick tonight... I would estimate that we have roughly an hour to get a fire built before this entire forest is so thick with fog that you won't be able to see a hand if it touched your nose.

Saying no more, he turns and walks into the darkness toward his destination.

Fog was beginning to form low to the ground, it swirled about her feet almost as if she waded theough a shallow stream.

Fury looked down and watched the lazy movement of the mist stir with each step she took. It seemed even the forest with it's reaching tree branches and grabbing roots had begun to settle down with the coming of night. Or was it just slight loll as the forest gathered it's self for another onslaught.

The mist was rising and it became harder to see what lay ahead. She could see shadowy figures moving in front of her. The heavy mist seemed to muffle all sound, she could hear nothing, not even the sound of her own footfalls. It was then she realized that she could not hear Amon's footfalls either nor did she feel his presence besides as she had just moments ago.

Fury stopped and stood still, listening, trying to peer into the thick mist that had fallen over the forest. She heard nothing but silence.
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