"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.