Rand talked to Mentokka for about an hour. Carefully choosing his words. He saw the look on her face when he told her about the part about her death if she wasn't ready for this. But Rand knew that Mentokka would be ready for this.

Hell! He should of done this for her five years ago. But it was 'he' who wasn't ready. After what happened with Tosh. He couldn't bring himself to put his 'Little Girl' thought what her brother when though.....At least not at that time.

Mentokka was ready to tell Rand that she was ready for what ever it was she had to do. But it was Rand and Tosh telling her to take a day to seriously think about it. Tosh told her that Uncle Rand was right about the fact that nothing would be the same after it was completed. He would know......it changed him. Most says, For the better. But there were times he wasn't sure.

Mentokka agreed to what they asked of her to at least sleep on it. Besides there were more pressing matters to attend to. A Funeral......Rand-Tor the Elders Funeral......Rand-Tor the Elders Fiery Funeral. Not to mention, Rand Tor the Younger appearance. And he promised that it would be a lulu!

"What a minute, Rand." Uber said. "You've already took care of funeral arrangements? Did you do it in your younger look?"

"Of course not." Rand said rising to his feet.

"Did you look like the regular self?" Gunner asked.

"Gunner?" Rand sighed. "Don't you think it would be kinda stupid to arrange a funeral and be the corpse also?" They all laughed.

When Merc asked what did he look like Rand just smiled. He told them he picked a 'perfect' image. He closed his eyes and muttered some words under his breath. Suddenly a soft golden light formed around Rand. And just as sudden there was a flash of light and what they saw left them opened mouth in shock once again.

"I'll be.......Damned!" Umber said walking towards the image that was Rand.

What he saw was a spitting image of himself. Rand had turned himself into Another Uber Pendragon.

"My God!" Merc said. "You look like twins!" And she was right.

The were mirror image of each other. Height, weight, hair and eye color, clothing and the over sized Bastard Sword.

"You know, Uber?" Rand said, his voice slightly different in Umber's form. "This Sword is sure Heavy! How do you carry this damn thing all the time?" He uncomfortably shifted his shoulders several times.

Mentokka seem to go pale again. This was all too much for her. She fainted again. Tosh went to her. Rand shook his head and smiled.

"I wish you don't do that, Uncle Rand" Tosh said.

"My goodness. If she does this when I change into someone else. I can only guess what will happen when she finds out she can do this herself." he chuckled.

As Uber was circling Rand. Like as if he was searching for some flaw in his appearance. Gunner asked that if he could change into anyone he wants.

He told him that he could. It was harder to change into a girl or women.......For the obvious reasons. Body structure and voice.

"I could turn into a dragon for you, Gunner." Rand told him. He looked like he was getting as pale as Mentokka. "Just kidding."

Rand turned back into his original self, because it took a lot of energy for him to hold a form
that he didn't take time to prepare. He waited for Mentokka to wake up before telling them all how they were going to do this. And if i was done right. It would be nothing short of magical.

The assassin, Alim stayed near the southern area of town. He used his dark powers to keep him from being noticed. Even though the pay was good. Keeping watch on people wasn't his cup of tea. He always grew restless. Evey fiber in his body crying out for action. The joy of the hunt and kill. But that wasn't his job right now. All he needed to do is watch to see what happen......if anything. Then report it to Blue Lighting. Just a little bit more fun then watching paint dry.

"That is a person I DO NOT trust." Alim though bitterly. "I wouldn't put it past him that he would sooner have me taken out then pay me. I better keep an eye...........Hello! What is this?"

He was broken out of his thoughts when he noticed several men running out of the church that stood several buildings away from his targets and headed for there house. They knocked on the door and the Red Headed girl open the door and let then inside. Shortly there after, the doors opened to see the men walking out of the house with a body wrapped in white cloth that was laying on a flat board that was carried on there shoulders.

"It that the old man?" Alim asked. "There not talking him home to be buried?".

Without thinking he reached out with his powers and touched the body being carried. Almost instantly he knew it was Rand-Tor the Elder. He knew the old man's energy signature from anywhere.

Right after the men came out. The five others followed. The old man kids leading the group. He noticed that they were all wearing a black strip of cloth around there left arms.

"Must be a thing the family does to honor the dead." Alim closed hie eyes. A part of him wishing there would be people honoring him when he leaves this world. But as quickly he opened his eyes and shook his head. He had to keep thoughts like that out of his mind. If he knew what was good for him.

After the group when inside the church. The bells in the church started to ring. people from all over town headed for the Church. Alim decided to check out what was going on for himself. " Was he that well known in town?"

Alim sat in the back where he wasn't noticed. The preacher spoke for several minutes. Speaking of the life of the old man and asked all there to pray for his friends and family. He could hear the sobs of several of the family members.


The sky was just turning dark as the service ended. The preacher lead the group that filed outside the church and waited for the men to carry the body outside. When they did. all lowered there heads. The preacher stood in front of the men carrying him.

They were about to walk towards the entrance of town when a great flash of light formed in front of he preacher. Most had to shield there eyes. Alim did also. It lasted for no more then several seconds when it disappeared. A man stood. Wearing a long, white robe. Silver gauntlets with high polished boots and black hair combed back. It was Rand-Tor the Younger.

"Cousin!" Mentokka shouted as she and Tosh rushed over towards him. Mentokka and Rand Held each other for a long moment. Then Rand and Tosh did the same thing.

"I got here as soon as I got word." Rand said turning to Mentokka. "Tell me it isn't true!"

"Cousin. I-I....."

Rand's eyes went wide. "No!........It can't be! No one could kill Uncle Rand! He was too powerful."

Suddenly he walked over to where the men was holding up his body. "You all! Lower his body! I need to see him."

"Rand! You can't!" Mentokka shouted. Rushing over to where he was.

"Cousin.......Mentokka....Please! I have to see him." as the two stared at each other. Rand winked his eye at her. That was the cue.

"A-a right," Mentokka said. "Let him see, Uncle Rand." She said speaking up.

The men lowered the body to the ground and Rand knelled next to the body. With shaking hands, he removed the cloth that was covering his face. What he saw made him gasp in horror. It was the face of Rand-Tor the Elder.

"No..............NO! How is this possible?" Rand shouted tears streaming down his face. "This can't be true!" He said nothing for several moments. Then he rose to his feet and started shouting.

"Get up from there! This is one of your jokes, isn't is?" Rand shouted. His face masked with anger. "You always do this! Taking your jokes too far!" Mentokka walked over to him and put her arms around him. Suddenly all the anger was gone from him. He feel to his knees crying. Shaking as he sobbed.

Mentokka whispered something into Rand's ear. He nodded and drew the cloth back over his face. Rand and Mentokka rose to there feet as the men brought the body back on there shoulders and started there walk towards the entrance to the town. Rand and Mentokka fell in line with the others.

"Rand-Tor the Younger." Alim thought. "Now this is news. I'm sure Blue is going to have a fit about this."

Alim slowly moved away but reached out with his magic over the younger Rand. His signature was different from that of the old man.It was time to take his leave of this place.

As the assassin moved away from the area. Rand smiled inwardly.

"I got you, friend. Next time, I'll be ready for you."

As the group reached the spot. They lowered the body on to a large pile of sticks and dry grass soaked in oils.

Mentokka walked to where the body was. She lowered her hand near the grass and spoke the word.............Fire. Suddenly the body was engulfed in flames that rose a good ten feet into the air.

"Rest in Peace, Uncle Rand." Mentokka said though tears. "You will live on in all of us."

They all turned away and walked back towards Merc's house.

"Rand?", Uber said with a hint caution in his voice, as he walked over towards him. "Is Th-that you?"

"Now who else would I be?" Rand said a large grin breaking out across his face.

"I'm not quite sure." he shot back.

And he was right. What the saw wasn't the man they knew and saw last night. What they saw was a man that couldn't been no more then THIRTY years old.

Where once there was a man with gray kinky hair, stood a man with thick, long black hair that was combed straight back. Where once there was a man with rough weathered skin, now stood a man with soft, smooth brown skin. Where once stood a man with features that was rough and hardened with old age, now stood a man with firm jaw line and a handsome smile. Where once stood a man with hands what were strong but blotched with spots and wrinkles of old age, now stood a man with hands that were smooth, firm and young looking.

"How is this possible?" Tosh asked getting out of his seat.

"Well if you all close your mouths and you Tosh, help your sister sit down before she faints again, I'll gladly tell you everything."

As soon as Tosh helped his still, pale looking sister to a chair. Rand walked over towards the front of the table. As soon as he reached it, he closed his eyes and muttered something under his breath. Suddenly a soft glow of light surrounded him. Slowly, his features changed back to the old man that they knew. But this seemed to freak them out all the more. He told them all to calm down, as he took a seat.

"Now can you tell us what is this all about?" Merc asked. Rand smiled.

"As you know, we have done almost everything out in the open. Our talking, our training, our plans. But that all changed when someone attacked us with magic and nearly killed me with dark energy. And I'm sure it's it all has to do with that map you bought, Uber."

When Uber asked why he thought that. He told that he knew about the history of the Pondor Empire and what was claimed. It was said that the Pondorians were nothing short of Gods. Even though it wasn't proved.

"As you know, Uber. Most people believe these claims." Uber nodded with agreement. "Now what if someone thought that map is that important. That it holds the key to finding out the secrets of the Pondor. Now, if you wanted to find out about these secrets bad enough. I'm sure you'd do damn near anything.........Am I wrong?" No one spoke, but Rand knew they knew he was right.

"But Uncle Rand?" Tosh spoke up. "What is with the change?"


"That's simple.....Someone 'killed' me. Blew my chest open and left me for dead. I don't know if that is what's they planned. But I'm sure who ever hired him is told of my death,"

"So that's why you changed your appearance?" Mentokka asked, some color returning to her face. "To let whom ever did this to you think your dead."

"Exactly, Little Girl! Were going to let them think I'm dead. Tonight we are going to have my.....{ahem}..... funeral. A public burning, no less. Right outside of town for anyone to see. And when I'm not with you. I'll be sniffing around to see if I can find out who's behind all this."

When they asked Rand about a body. He smiled and told them he took care of that already. All he needed them to do is put on there most somber faces tonight. He already made arrangments with the church for a short service with family and friends.
For Rand-Tor the Elder will leave this world with a flaming exit. And Rand-Tor the Younger makes his appearance for all to see. Then in a couple of days. They will head out in search for the ruins. And find out what ever is in there......if anything.

Rand was about to get to his feet when Mentokka spoke.

"Uncle Rand?" Rand looked over towards her. "You wanted to talk to me about something last night?"

"That's right, Little Girl." he said smiling at her. "What I'm going to tell you is VERY important. If you agree to it. It will change your life as you know it. And I can't guarantee it will be for the better."

When Tosh asked what was this about. Rand smile and told him he knew what it was about. His eyes went wide. "Uncle Rand!...........You don't mean!"

"I do, My Boy." Rand said rising to his feet and walked over to where Mentokka was sitting. "It's time to bring out the True Magical power in you, Little Girl."

Mentokka said nothing. Just looked at him strangely. "True Magical Power?" she said softly. " Is this anything like what you can do, Uncle Rand?" The old man nodded.

"Then what makes you say you can not guarantee it will be for the better."

"Because the magic is unpredictable." Rand said putting a firm hand on her shoulder. His look, serious.

"Little Girl, If your not completely ready to take part in this. It.......Will..... Kill you."

Mentokka's eyes went wide. She looked over to where Tosh was standing. He closed his eyes and nodded. She looked back her Uncle and swallowed nervously.

Morning came quickly and Rand woke, stretched and yawned. The sleep did a world of good for him. He looked around to see Mentokka sleeping soundly in the chair at the foot of his bed. He had to smile.

"My little girl watched over me all night," he though to himself. "And in that uncomfortable chair, no less."

He rose from the bed, his joints making the usual cracking sounds as he got to his feet. He waved his right hand in a semi circle motion towards Mentokka. She seemed to fall into a deeper sleep. He walked over to her an took her in his arm and placed her sleeping body on to the bed. Rand found out early in his life that a few minutes of being under a deep sleep spell, you would wake up energized with out the drowsiness. He looked down at her and smiled again.

"You'll need to be at your best, for what I'm going to Tell you And Show you, Little Girl. If you agree to this? You and your brother's life will never be the same. And the thing is I don't know if it will be for the better............for any of us." With that he left the room to wash up and dress.

Half hour later, he walked back into his room. He was no longer wearing his fighting robe. Instead he was wearing a longer white robe, tied with a black braided knot rope. He removed his leather wrappings off his wrists and replaced them with two sliver bands. His boots shined to glossy brilliance.

He walked over to where Mentokka was sleeping soundly. He did the hand gesture, only in the opposite direction. As Mentokka started to stir from her magic aided slumber. Rand turned away and walked over to the window on the other side of the room.

She rose up into a sitting position, stretched and yawned softly. She suddenly looked around and noticed that she was in bed. Not sitting in the chair next to it. "H-how did I get here? I was sitting over......."

"You looked totally uncomfortable in that chair, Little Girl," Rand said from the other side of the room. "I decided to let you get some real rest."

Mentokka thanked him but told him it was unnecessary. As she got off the bed, she noticed that her uncle was wearing different clothing. And here was something else that was different about him.

"Uncle Rand?" Mentokka said moving closer towards him. "Is everything alright with you?"

"Why do you ask?" He replied, turning to face her. "I never felt better."

What Mentokka -Tor saw made her eyes go wide. She took several steps back. Her trembling hands went to her mouth.

"By......The......Gods!"


Merc had just finished serving breakfast to the others. Everyone seemed to be uneasily silent. No doubt, last night's talk, unnerved everyone.

"Guys!" Gunner called out. "This place is as quite as a tomb. Your acting as if someone we loved died."

Everyone looked at him. Tosh and Uber shook there heads at the tasteless joke. Merc was about to say something. When the front door opened and Mentokka walked in, clearly looking pale.

"Are you alright, sis?" Tosh said rising to his feet. "Is something wrong? Where is Uncle Rand?"

At that moment everyone was hearts were filled with dread, thinking the worse, as Mentokka was unable to speak.

"I'm not sure what is wrong with her." Rand said walking into the restaurant. "I think I look GREAT, myself!"

What they saw made all there mouths hang open and eyes wide in shock.

"Oh," Tosh said.
"My," Gunner said.
"GOD!," Merc said, almost shouting.
And Uber was just speechless.



The Kingdom of Fatorian Docks.

The supply ship made dock early that afternoon. The trip was long and boring. Passengers went off to where ever they were going. And damn near every sailor went to the watering holes to spend there pay on drink and whores. And every now and then it would lead to fights. Bar Room Brawl style of fights, that is. After ten minutes and several guys went though the door or window. It would calm down. That's until the next drunk asshole would start it up again.

Also alot of crime would take place down in this area. When sailors and soldiers come ashore with gold and silver. The criminal element would come out of the wood work, like moths to a flame.

The south end of the Docks, where two local toughs stalk for 'fresh' victims. There names were Death and Savage. They use to be Knights for the Fatorian Army. But got thrown out for stealing from fellow soldiers and from the dead on the battle field. The pickings were slim tonight. They were about to call it for the night when the heard the foot steps of boots hearing towards them. Expensive sounding boots. What they saw made them grin.

"Fresh meat, my friend" Savage said to his partner. I do believe this chap with leave us with enough gold for drink and women for days." His partner just grinned his toothless grin at the thought.

What they saw was a tall, man wearing dark, clothing. A dark silk shirt, a pair of very dark gray leggings, an a pair of high matted, boots, with a dull shine to them. He wore a long coat that he wore opened. Only to show that he was well armed. Strapped to his sides were two short swords. The handles were in the old, Celtic style. Rare in these parts.

Strapped across his chest was large black leather belt, that held several throwing knives. He wore a long black clock that seem to be torn and burned at places. One could only guess what he went though in his travels. His name was Sid. CW to his friends...........{The few that were still alive, that is}

Anyone with half a brain would stay clear of this person. But it was also known that Savage and Death weren't known for there smarts.

But what was odd about this man is that he had a large grin on his face. As if he hadn't a care in the world.

The two would do there usual attack,. Let the man pass then rush him from behind. Stab him from behind, take his gold, leave him to die. Simple and fast path to riches. A path that would come to a sudden stop for the pair.

As Sid passed the two men laying in wait in the shadows. He stopped and spoke.

"I wonder......." That was all he said. The large grin still on his face. But only his friends would know what he meant when he said those two words.
It would mean................'Should I kill you quick? Or kill you Slowly?'

As the two men rushed him. It would be BOTH. With speed that cheated the eyes. Sid drew one of his short sword and cut Death across his neck with a cut that was so fine it drew a red line across his neck. As he passed Sid, his neck suddenly it exploded in a rush of blood that flew in a large spurt. As he fell dead on to the ground. He never had the chance to scream or cry out. Just because his head was cut clean off.

Savage had no time to react to his partner's death. With knife in hand. He was about to stick into Sid's back when all of a sudden, he turned and drove two finger into his side.
Savage screamed as the two finger broke the skin and slid inside of him.

Sid, still with a large grin on his face, slowly turned his hand to the left. Which made Savage scream out.

"Oh I'm sorry!" Sid said calmly. "I do believe I turned my fingers the wrong way."

With that he turned them the other way with made him scream out even louder.

"Whoops! Hahahaha! Silly me! I went the wrong way again. I do get confused every now and then. I hope you'll forgive me."

This went on for another five minutes til the man died screaming as he bleed to death.

As he was about to leave.

"Your not an easy person to find, Sid." A voice called out.

"That's how I live." Sid said knowing the voice right away. "A job?"

"Why else would I be here?" the voice said. "You know the routine half now half later after the job is done."

"Who's that target?" Sid asked.

"An assassin like you." he said. "I believe his name is Alim. You set out in a month."

"Why so long of a wait?"

"No idea. Sounds all strange to me. But I don't get paid to ask questions." That made Sid chuckle.

As the man was about to leave. He stopped in his tracks.
"One question, I've been wanting to ask you, Sid."

"Ask." Sid replied.

"What's with the nick name 'Creepy Winger'?"


Sid laughed and said. "Inside Joke............. A former life of mines." With that he walked away and was shortly gone from site.

"You did WHAT?!" the man called Blue Lighting shouted slamming his fist upon the desk. "You killed Rand the Elder! I clearly told you not to kill any of them, Alim!"

With that he slammed his fist on to his desk once again, with even more force. As always his meek assistant jumped with fear at his master's out bursts. But the Assassin looked at him without a hint of intimidation. Blue looked at the assassin curiously.

"I see your not fearful of my anger."

"You have to give me something to be fearful about." Alim said in a flat even tone. "And the reason for taking out the old man? He killed the Wizard and was about to search him. He had material that would lead him to you. And I'm sure you didn't want that to happen."

As must as he hated to admit it, this Assassin unnerved him. Even though he stood a head taller then the man. Alim was a solidly built, stocky young man. His black hair was cut short near his skull, only to high light his dark brown eyes. Eyes that saw and done many unspeakable things. He wore an outfit of tight black leather. There were buckles and straps all over his body, that seemed to tighten all the areas on his body. He also wore a long black cape, that only added to his intimidation.

He was armed with a Silver Rapier that was strapped to the right side of his back. He also carried at least a dozen short throwing darts. It was known some of them were poison tipped. But his real power came from his wielding of Dark Energy. At his sixteenth age of life. An accident that nearly killed him brought his Dark Magic to the surface.

His parents, saw his powers as something evil, threw him out and branded him as a minion of darkness. Only because the church told them what he was. Filled with anger he left the town, only because he was sure he would of killed his foolish parents at that time. Later on after he thought about it, he would of hated himself for doing that.

He ended up spending months talking to spell casters. Learning what his powers were and to see if he control it. And in an odd twist, he wanted to go see Rand-Tor the elder. For it was known that he was adept in magic and spell casting. Only because he was too far for him to travel at that time to the grass land area. He learned that his dark magic he could travel without being being seen or heard. And the one thing that he never told anyone was the fact that he could change his appearance at will. He could become man or women.

The only down side was it took a lot of concentration to hold a form over a long period of time. With all of that, being a assassin was a clear choice. Besides, everyone from the rich to the poor. There was a price on nearly any ones head. If you could pay his fees. Alim NEVER failed. Everything from quick and painless. To savage and brutal. There wasn't a job that he wouldn't accept.

Later after years of intense training he learned how to fire bolts of pure dark energy, at different levels, that could render a person unconscious or rip into a body like a hot knife. He hit the old man with a open blast that killed him. He was trying to knock him out. But the force of his blast tore into his chest was too powerful.

For a moments, he felt sorry about the old man's death. But what was done is done. Besides. He saw and caused more death that could fill a hundred grave yards. And the last thing he needed to do is think about the things he did. No doubt Guilt would creep into him and slowly eat him inside out.

Blue Lighting sat back at his desk to ponder what he told him. After a few moments he knew Alim was right. "Your right.," he said after taking a long sigh. "I need you to keep tracks on the others. I want you to follow them. I need to know were that map is...........DO NOT kill anymore of them.............Understood, Assassin?"

A small grin broke out across his face. "As long as you pay my fee.........I Live To Serve!" He bowed with an elegant grace. before leaving his office.

"Arrogant Bastard!" Blue muttered, only when he was sure he was out of ear shot of him. "I may have to have him taken out in the future." He ordered his aid to get a list of possible candidates for the job , if it becomes necessary. Blue shook his head at the thought of the old man's death.

"All that knowledge......All that power.........gone."



Mentokka shared a room with Merc. But she took a room next to his uncle, just in case he was need of her help. Later on in the night she sat at his bed side. She stared at her Uncle's sleeping form. A wave of feelings assaulted her mind and soul. At times she couldn't understand what this man meant to her. Most of the time she knew he was the center of her life.

She was too young to remember her parents. So she saw Rand as her father and mother, when he took her and her brother in when they died. Something that Rand told her that he wasn't ready to tell the two of them about. But promised he would. She would stay up for hours as he told her stories of his time as a mercenary solider. He spoke of the good, the bad, the funny and the ugly. Especially......the ugly.

He wouldn't sugar coat anything. He told her as he saw it. Brutal way he and his men fought and killed the enemy. There treatment of prisoners and the way his men attacked and raped the enemy's women. He never tried to pass blame on to others for his actions. The story about there army's assault on a northern strong hold was at times beyond words.

"They were the enemy," he would say. "The things they did to our captured soldiers when we tried to take there walled city were unspeakable. The would cut them open from neck to groan. In sight of us. There screams were horrible. And it would last for hours. And the enemy on the wall would laugh and mock us as they screamed. Other times they would dismember one of them and start throwing down body parts at us. The one thing that sent us over the edge was when they pitched a sack at where we were stationed outside there walls. When it was opened we saw it was filled with teeth and a bloody pair of pliers that tore them out of there mouths of the soldiers. We all lost it. We attacked the walls in a blind rage. We didn't want to take the town. We wanted to wipe it off the earth, and all in it. I promised my leaders not to use my magic. But at that moment I didn't care. I call up the most powerful fire ball I could cast. I screamed as I casted it The fire ball hit the front gates and blew them into pieces. Right there, I blacked out. When I came to. I city was taken and in the process of getting sacked. What I saw haunts me to this day. Men, Women AND Children were being slaughtered. At that time I was filled with too much hate to care. I joined in.........."

Right there he stopped. And to Mentokka's surprise. He started weeping. It was the first time he ever spoke of it. She got out of bed and held him as if she was his mother. She later realized that he needed to tell his stories to someone. Get it out of his system.

He told her was sorry to tell her such horrible things about his past. He told him she understood, and right there she loved him all the more.

Even though there were times he wanted her to think about leaving and 'Go find the meaning of her life.' She wasn't ready. There was still so much she needed to learn from him. He was just about an never ending well of information and knowledge that she wished to tap into.

But there was still one question that bothered her.

"What is it that you wish to tell me about." she though to herself. "And how it would change me and Tosh's life?"

But that would have to wait until he woke up.



Rand knew that Mentokka was at his bed side. Even with his eyes closed and in a deep sleep, his magic painted a picture of his niece in his mind. He did not disturb her by waking. The expression on her lovely face told him that she was in deep though about something. He was sure it was about what he was planing to talk to her about. He could of easily went into her mind to see what she was thinking. But this was another things he rarely done. And he'd wouldn't do it to her or Tosh. Only if he had no choice.

Instead he talk to the magic. He realized when he slept, the bridge between the two of them was well connected. He saw the Magic as Mentokka. The talked about nothing important. Just talking about the past and there times together and thanking the magic for being there when he needed it.

Also the magic would whisper secret forms of magic that he didn't understand. It would fill his mind with visions of powers that he could only dream of. Yet Rand's mind was strong. Though he didn't understand what the magic told him. He locked it in his mind, remembering nearly everything that was told to him. So that later he could write it down and ponder it. Trying to make sense of what was told to him.

Most of the time it was unusable. And others times it was clearly too dangerous to use. And still other times it was found out to be so silly, it would leave him doubled over with laughter. Once or twice he would learn something that would improve a spell or his powers ever so slightly, he wondered if it was really worth all the effort he put into learning what learned.

But as soon as he thought about it. The answer would hit him like one of Tosh's fist to his head.

Of course it was!

Great things usually came in 'Small packages'.

And this, small package held a 'Gem of an Idea.'

He went deep into himself to piece this idea together. And but tomorrow, it was going to be a something for the ages.

With that........ He smiled inwardly.

They made it back to Merc's place in no time. But the did it more or less in silence. Rand played it like it was nothing. He took the lead and walked at a pace where the others had extend there steps to keep pace with the old man. Rand was doing this because he wanted to let them see that nothing wrong with him..............At least on the outside, that is.

Uber kept up with Rand. But his mind was on what he saw several minutes ago. He was the first one that stumbled on Rand's body. He checked for a pulse and a heart beat. There was none. Even his body was already getting cold at the time.

"I'm not sure what is going on, Rand", Uber thought to himself. "But your going to have to explain yourself about this! You were dead! I'm sure of it!"
And he was sure the others were more or less thinking the same thing.

As soon as everyone got settled in, Merc poured everyone some freshly brewed tea. Everyone except Rand was seated at the table. He was staring out the window. He was trying to make sense what happened to him. He took a deep breath, turned an faced the others.

There wasn't much to say. But he explained nearly all what happened to him after he headed up the Ridge. The only thing he didn't bring up was the image of Mentokka. He didn't want his niece thinking that her uncle had some kind of erotic feelings for her. After telling all what happened to him. Rand answered every question to the best of his ability. And they had plenty of them.

Answering all there questions, Rand suddenly felt a bone weary kind of exhaustion. He told them that he was going to skip dinner and call it a night. No one had any complaints. Most of them though it would be a good idea. Mentokka went with him. As soon as they left Merc's home, heading to the Inn, the others started talking among themselves.

"Tosh? Have your Uncle ever done that before?" Uber asked.

"If your talking about Rand getting killed and coming back to life? The answer is no."

"I meant removing his spirit from his physical body," Uber asked. "Do you know if he knows such a spell?"

"Uber.......You was in his room the morning after we fought." Tosh replied. "You saw the countless spell books, scrolls and other magical do dads he has in there. I'm sure he's learned something from damn near every piece of things in there. Remember. He's been doing this for well over forty years."

"Why do you ask such a question, Uber?" Merc asked, taking a long sip from her cup. "You think there is more to what Master Rand had told us?"

"No.............It's not that." He said bringing and hand up and shaking his head. "I just thought about the fact that it was that Wizard that Rand killed casted that spell on you and Mentokka."

Hold on a second." Tosh said rising to his feet. "Are you saying that Uncle Rand might be under control of the person that blasted him? What proof do you have?"

"None Tosh!" Uber replied rising to his feet. "I'm just thinking out loud." The two stared at each other for a moment, nodded and sat back down.

"Worst case scenario, huh?" Uber nodded. "Well just have to keep a close eye on him."

"No need," Merc said. "Mentokka, will do that for us." all nodded.

I know what you mean," Tosh said smiling. " A couple of years ago, I came down with scarlet fever. I nearly died. In a blink of an eye. Mentokka changed from 'Kid Sister' to 'Mother Hen'. She'll watch over him like a hawk."

Tosh told them that he would tell Mentokka what they was thinking when they were alone.

"I think you guys are reaching a bit." Gunner said. "Master Rand........being control? Yeah Right! .............And I'm a Virgin!" They all laugh.

"Better safe then sorry, my friend."


Rand and Mentokka walked towards the Inn in silence. There was enough tension between the two of them that could cut be with a knife.

"Something on your mind, little girl?" Rand finally said, stopping to face her. Her brown eyes went wide. "I'm not stupid. Everyone was looking at me as if I was from another planet."

"Can you blame them.......I mean us." She finally said. "You were dead, Uncle Rand! Your body was cold when I touched you. That wound you had.........It- it was terrible. The look of pain etched on your face......"

Right there she broke down and cried, wrapping her arms around herself. Rand rushed over and took her in his strong arms. She tried to speak but her words were racked with sobs.
Rand understood. The thought of her Uncle not in her life was more then she could take.


Right there Rand was wrong to think that Mentokka was ready to 'Go find the meaning of her life'. She needed him more then he needed her.

"Mentokka?" Rand said, placing his hand under her chin to make her look at him "There is something I need to talk to you about. It will most likely chance your life and your brother as you know it."

When she asked what it was. He told her that he would tell her about it in the morning. He told her that he was too tired to talk about it, as another bout of weariness hit him. Mentokka told him to lean on her as they made there way to his room.