[if you have any ideas for the plot, add it. I'm making this up as I go along]

Morgnar tossed Ghyreian over his shoulder as easily as if she were a ragdoll. Bruk blindfolded Edwin and led them out. They walked through a labyrinth of tunnels and caverns. Their path twisted so much it would have been impossible to remember it even without the blindfold. The barbarians' heavy bootsteps echoed hollowly along the cavern walls as they skirted stalagmites and deep ravines. All along the floor inclined steadily. At last, they exited the caves and arrived at a camp.

Campfires sprang among the buckskin tents, their smoke curling up into the vast plane of stars. Rowdy songs and merriment resounded into the night. Barbarians squatted by their campfires, bantering and exchanging tales of valor. More than one hailed Bruk and Morgnar with a clap on the back and good-natured grin. A few barbarian women, tall and muscular as their male counterparts, turned to stare at the mages.

Bruk and Morgnar entered a small tent, where they untied Edwin's blindfold and set Ghyreian down. "Furs," Bruk said, tossing Edwin some thick blankets. "I ask me wife to bring food and drink later. He'll see you at midnight."

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"Well isn`t he a mysterious fellow..."

Edwin muttered to himself.

_________________

Let him curse my name
On these blood stained pages of misery
Let him call me a tyrant so cruel
Let him curse my name, but remember the truth!

Ghyreian woke twenty minutes later. The first thing she distinguished was the cold. The caribbou-skin tent mitigated the temperature, though it was still colder than anything she had ever experienced before. She wrapped the furs around herself and rubbed her temples where a headache throbbed. She could well guess the source of her pains.

A barbarian woman, hale and golden-haired, drew back the tent flap a moment later and placed a large tray laden with drink and food on the rug. She offered them a passing nod before vanishing from the tent. Ghyreian eyed the food - ale and sliced fish - in distaste. Her gaze came to rest on Edwin, sitting across from her. They were alone in the tent, with an hour or more to spare before midnight. Her temperament returned in full.

"You weasel-brained hypocrite!" she exploded, unable to restrain herself. "You call me a witch, yet what are you? You expect me to be ashamed, call me obsessed with power, yet who has the..." she shot an apprehensive glance at the tent flap "...that thing hidden in his robes? You tricked me! I believed it lost, buried in the mountains, when you had it up your dirty sleeve all along!"

_________________

"Well what a great moment of you to burst that out of yourself?"

Edwin asked with a dry voice, but them smirked slightly.

"Would you have told me dear Ghyreian?"

Edwin retorted with an accusing gaze.

_________________

Let him curse my name
On these blood stained pages of misery
Let him call me a tyrant so cruel
Let him curse my name, but remember the truth!

Ghyreian hesitated with a scathing glare. "Told you what?"

_________________

"If I had been in your position and you in mine, would you have ever told me about the orb once we had met?"

Edwin clarified.

_________________

Let him curse my name
On these blood stained pages of misery
Let him call me a tyrant so cruel
Let him curse my name, but remember the truth!

"If I had been in your position, I would never have been so naive as to trust you anyway," Ghyreian retorted.

_________________

"Perhaps..."

Edwin smirked.

"Has anyone ever asked you one question? Why are you so bitter and hateful? Part of the black robes everyday duties or what?"

Edwin hmped.

_________________

Let him curse my name
On these blood stained pages of misery
Let him call me a tyrant so cruel
Let him curse my name, but remember the truth!

"Did I not warn you of what I am capable of? And yet you blame me for your own heedless trust."

_________________

"Of course you did, but you didn`t answer my question..."

Edwin pointed out.

_________________

Let him curse my name
On these blood stained pages of misery
Let him call me a tyrant so cruel
Let him curse my name, but remember the truth!

Ghyreian lifted her chin in disdain. "You would never understand, even if I told you."

_________________

"Try me"

Edwin challenged her to tell why.

_________________

Let him curse my name
On these blood stained pages of misery
Let him call me a tyrant so cruel
Let him curse my name, but remember the truth!

Ghyreian leaned forward, her voice a sibilant hiss. "You still don't see, do you? It is the only way to power. You've seen the Sylvan Land, you've walked it. My people worshiped E'li, and look where it got them. Look at Palanthas, fair lordcity choking on its own arrogance. The army of Ariakas shall devour it." She uttered a short laugh. "Look at you, depressed after the death of your parents and trusting me to the ends of the world. Love has made you vulnerable. Love has made you weak. Did you not know?"

She masked her emotions with a smirk and and an eager anticipation to see his reaction. "I killed my parents, Edwin. It was through this that I proved myself to Nuitari."

_________________

Edwin couldn`t help laughing at her words, she was actually trying to depress him or something else, but waking up to reality? No, edwin guessed everyone had their reality. Edwn leaned backwards.

"Surely, those are good things that you speak of and I do not believe that either of the sides will ever triumph over each others, balance will be restored in the end....if you seem so sure then tell me something every have heard the story about Huma, do you think their position ever looked more hopefilled and yet evil never won... but love? Well that is another matter at least we can live in peace because of it, you on the other are unable to dear Ghyreian.

Even if you would have ruled your people`s lands, you would have been alone, all alone like a tree on a desert hading away piece by piece until finally collapsing..."

Edwin hmped before she could retort.

"But you will never understand love so I pity you Ghyreian, I really do..."

_________________

Let him curse my name
On these blood stained pages of misery
Let him call me a tyrant so cruel
Let him curse my name, but remember the truth!

Ghyreian opened her mouth, more injured by his words than she cared to admit. She closed her mouth again and instead assumed an indulgent smile.

"You yourself nearly yielded to Nuitari, if I recall correctly."

She strapped on her fur cloak and stood up. "I, for one, do not intend to sit here and wait. You have the dragonorb. Isn't there some way we can spy on the barbarians?"

_________________

"Well isn`t it obvious?"

Edwin said taking the small pearl out of his pocket and largening it.

_________________

Let him curse my name
On these blood stained pages of misery
Let him call me a tyrant so cruel
Let him curse my name, but remember the truth!