I fought against the darkness that had come over me. It took some time, and that fight inside my head drained me more than any physical combat had ever done. And at last I realised what folly it would be to stay here, trying to do the best for the one I hold dearest, and in the process keeping apart fom her. A futile attempt to win all, if in the process I should lose all.

I made my way home. It took a time, as I was still fighting lingering effects of what had so affected me. And maybe what had affected me, and others perhaps, was a foreboding of what was to come in the lands.

I returned ... to chaos. Attacks unheard of. The temple at Bran ... the castle of the Knights ... the home of the High Queen ... the guildhalls. All had been, and still are, under attack on a scale unseen before. Ellyana and guildkin have laboured hard to defend our hall, and they with the assistance of many others have been able to put right the damage done.

Strange tendrils have been seen sprouting during these onslaughts. I was a victim myself as it wrapped around me and squeezed - and all the time it was turning my flesh to ash. An awful feeling, that, as I felt the effect creeping through my body, 'til there was so much damage I succumbed and woke at the monument. And they carry some strange sickness which has affected many.

We may fight in darkness ... we may fight in some confusion as to what is happening ... but one thing is certain ...

We will fight.