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Jeri awoke to find that she wasn't dead after all, much to her relief. Sitting up in the seat, she reached for the radio, but it must have been damaged in the crash? Thinking back for a moment, she couldn't remember hitting anything, but she must have, last she remembered she was heading straight toward the roadblock, then there was nothing, yet upon checking herself, she could find no trace of an injury, which wouldn't have been possible if she had crashed. "So just what the hell did happen?" she thought aloud. Trying the ignition proved to be just as useless as the radio. "Well, looks like I'm walking home. Tony, where are ya when I need ya?" A quick look around told her that she wasn't anywhere near the docks anymore, as a matter of fact, she couldn't figure out where in the hell she was. The street wasn't so much a street as it was a cobblestone cart path of sorts, and one thing she did know, there weren't any in Jersey that she had ever seen. Opening the trunk, she gathered all she could carry in the police issue dufflebag she had brought, most of which was ammo for the two pistols and shotgun. Shouldering the bag, she headed off in the direction the car was pointed in, and hoped she found someone soon. After several hours, she found herself looking at a massive wall in a state of serious disrepair. Ducking through a bus sized hole under what appeared to be a guard tower she brushed the dust off and gazed in amazement at what she was seeing. The buildings that lined the street were in various states of disrepair, some had collapsed completely, while others seemed to be quite sound. Up ahead past the suns bright glare, she could make out what appeared to be some sort of old English style Inn. It was at that point that she realized that she must have been out for several hours for the sun to be up already. "But I never hit my head, so how could have I been knocked out?" she thought aloud. Checking her watch, she found it had stopped at approximately 11:30, which was about the time she had thought she hit the roadblock, only there was something else, something she couldn't fully remember about the chase and it kept nagging at the back of her mind while she walked. The limo was nowhere to be seen, which also didn't make sense, if she had hit anything, it should have been the back of the limo, she was following too closely to have missed it. Then she remembered the hole, for lack of a better term for it, that had appeared and seemed to swallow the limo and the man she hunted. Stopping again, she felt a wave of dizziness sweep over her as she tried desperately to grasp the situation she now found herself in. It was at that point that she decided to figure that out later, after she found out where she was. The whole town had a creepy feel to it, reminding her of the old west ghost towns she had visited as a child, not a sound could be heard, other than the sound of the wind blowing several unsecured shutters back and forth on rusted hinges. It took about 5 minutes of walking to reach what was indeed an Inn, the hanging sign read "The Flaming Dragon Inn and Tavern" and it seemed to be in fairly good shape compared to the buildings that surrounded it. Pushing open the swinging doors elicited an inhuman squeal of protest from hinges that hadn't been used in far too long, the floor was strewn with debris from what seemed to be a battle of some sort. Situated back against the far wall, adjacent to the bar, was a large desk, upon which she could see several large books. As she made her way across the floor, she noticed that most of the debris seemed to have once been bar tables, broken arrows and several large daggers, and swords littered the floor, and here and there were corpses that had long since been reduced to bones. Bending down to inspect one of the corpses, she noticed that the size was off somehow, the arm and leg bones were twice as think as they should have been, and the forehead, or what was left of it, seemed to jut out too far. Still clutched in its hands was a huge curved axe. Beside the remains lay another corpse, cut in half by the looks of it, only this one was different, where the elbows should have ended, there were long spiked protrusions of bone, almost as if the creature itself was a weapon. The skull was elongated to the point that it looked more snout like than a face and its mouth was lined with vicious looking teeth. Her first thought was that it was some sort of animal, but it had human hands and feet, and looked to be about 5 feet tall when standing. A quick check of the remaining corpses showed that besides the normal human remains, and the smaller dwarf like ones, no two of the odd creatures bone structure seemed to be exactly alike. Looking down at the bones, Jeri decided then and there that she definitely did not want to meet any of these things while they still lived, gun or no gun. Working her way back toward the desk, she took note of the paintings and tapestries that hung from the walls, all of which depicted scenes from an age long gone.

She could not explain, without doubting her own sanity, where she was, or what she was seeing, but she kept telling herself that there had to be some reasonable explaination for all this. Pushing her doubts aside, she picked up one of the heavy leather bound ledgers and flipped through it, finding nothing but simple bookkeepers records. The rest of the books appeared to be guest records, and inventory listings. It wasn't until she had picked up the last one that she saw the smaller book underneath, the name on the cover was faded and virtually unreadable, but when she opened it she knew instantly what it was. It was well kept journal, possibly belonging to the former owner of the Inn. The language was old world English, but the dates were like none she had ever seen. Taking the journal to an unbroken table, she sat down and began to read.

** Tis the third cycle of the blight, under His Grace, Lord Garrard Leonard Broc IV.**

_ First moon of the second quarter._

_ The soldiers began to arrive shortly before dawn today, the first to come were the regulars, under the guise of bolstering our meager garrison troops. I don't dispute that they are here for that purpose, yet I am compelled to see the truth in some of the tales coming in from the east. The dark armies of Baliroc are still out there somewhere, slowly gaining in strength. Rumor has reached the city of a huge Dwarven army rising to meet them in Shalinfrei Valley. In all my days serving the guard, I never envied anyone who faced the might of the dwarves, but this time it is different, the darkness that spreads over this land is equal in its purpose, the destruction of all things that get in it's way._

It has been almost ten days since the soldiers began to gather within the city walls, and there does not seem to be an end in sight. Every morning there are more and more entering the front gates, and thusfar none have left the city, with the exception of the daily patrols, my Inn is filled beyond that which it was built to hold. I am quickly running out of inventory, and the caravans come less and less frequently.

Word came today by messenger that the dwarves were crushed and forced to withdraw back into the hills to the east, the soldiers grow uneasy, and the tension grows thick. Several fights have broken out amongst the regulars and the mercenaries, resulting in two deaths thusfar. Several of the cities wealthier people have already fled west toward the sea in fear of what is to come.

Today, the city was greeted with a spectacular sight to behold, the Uthian Lancers, under Lord Ridley Taylor, arrived in droves to join the campaign. The sight of the armored riders astride their fierce centaur mounts, gave us, for the first time in many moons, a renewed sense of hope. Following less than a league behind were the seventh and fifteenth Elven archers, who had traveled, on foot, for almost half a cycle to take part in the upcoming battle

The remains of the Dwarven army will be here by nightfall. Beaten badly in their last battle, they insisted in joining forces in a united front against the dark hoards that draw ever closer to the city walls. In all my days never did I think I would see so many different cultures standing side by side to face a common foe, I only hope it is not too late.

Jeri set the book down for a moment to take in what she had just read. The thought of so many mythical creatures actually existing was staggering. If this wasn't a nightmare, and she wasn't asleep then she had stumbled upon something that had, in her mind, existed only in fairy tales. Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, she searched the bar for something that would pass for a drink. Finding a small hand pump behind the bar she spent several minutes working the rusty handle in hopes that the well wasn't dry. After what seemed like hours, she was able to pump enough clear liquid out to fill one of the not so clean goblets she had come across. The water tasted better than most of the bottled waters she liked to drink while on duty. Once she had drank her fill, she went back to reading.

The scouts have reported that the dark army is but a few days ride from here, the soldiers are exceptionally somber tonight, drinking quietly in groups or alone, the reality of what is happening is finally upon them. I have befriended a lancer who has become my solace in these trying times, and I have, in turn, become hers. She reminds me of my dearest love Margerite, who I lost so many cycles ago, though not entirely human in form, she shows more love and spirit than anyone I have seen in ages. I felt awkward at first, as I didn't intend to fall in love ever again, let alone with a non human, yet she made me feel so at ease with myself and my feelings, that I feel as I did before I lost my beloved. She told me the love of a centaur is eternal, and somehow I believe her. We spend our evenings together, side by side, and talk of better times. I know she wants more from me than I am prepared to give, yet she never asks or pushes, she is simply happy to have a companion during the night.

The talk today has been of a powerful mage who has traveled south, to the mountains, I hopes of forging an alliance with the creatures that dwell therein. We can only hope his mission will not be needed, for if it is, then we are in more desperate states than anyone has let on.

The dark hoard is now within sight of the city walls, by nightfall they will have set up a siege camp, and I fear that tomorrow they will attack.

The tavern is full tonight yet no one drinks. All minds seem to be on the upcoming battle, The only ones that seem unfazed by the dark armies presence are the dwarves, who have already vowed not to fall back a second time. Staring at them for the first time, I see more pride in a ravaged army than in many of the undefeated armies that have passed this way. If only pride were enough.

The battle was indeed glorious, both sides suffered horribly, the dead lie strewn upon the battlefield, piling up as the day progressed. At one point a handful of dark priests, who had hidden within the city walls, rose up and attempted to force open the gates. Somehow they were discovered before they could complete their task and destroyed by a young mage who cast a spell so ancient we didn't even have a name for it. One moment they were lifting the bar from the gate, the next, in a flash of bright blue light, they were no more. Before our eyes the young mage collapsed to the ground, and was rushed away by the clerics, I haven't seen him since and fear he didn't survive. Through a well planned withdrawal, the dark army was lured within range of the Elven archers, who fired volley after volley into the oncoming rush of bodies. Faster than any human could shoot they quickly exhausted their supply of arrows, and fell back to rearm. It was then that the final phase of the plan went into effect, the Lancers were set loose upon the reeling hoards, who fell back in panic from the lancers deadly advance. Broken and in disarray, the dark army fell back to the east, leaving behind the bloodied survivors to savor the moment. We had won the battle, but the war was only starting.

For almost a fortnight, the survivors tended to the wounded, and waited on a supply caravan to arrive from the west. It was during this time that I discovered how deep my love for Essiandra ran, just the thought of her impending departure brought tears to my eyes. I vowed that I would show her the love I felt, but until this moment could only speak of. I went to her that last night as I always did, but this time I let go of the bonds that contained me, she was a centaur, and I was a human, but that night, none of that mattered. In our hearts, the world contained only two souls, and those souls were in love. Though awkward at first, we consummated our vows of love in the age old ways, and for but a moment in time, forgot the troubles that surrounded us. If I were to die today, I know in my heart, I could die happy.

They left this morning, leaving behind only memories, and several score of soldiers to help garrison the city. Word has it that they plan to follow the hoard into the dark forests that lie east of here, where they will utterly wipe out the darkness from this land once and for all. Gods speed to them, and I pray for her safe return.

Several days have passed, and still no word has reached us of the fate of the army. I did find out that the mage who traveled south to the mountains was none other than Darian Black, former advisor to the gray temple. If anyone could gain an alliance in those forbidding heights, he could.

It has been two full fortnights now, and something is happening, a message arrived today from the east, but no one will divulge the contents of the message, a sign I fear, of unwelcome news.

It was announced publicly today, that the united army we sent forth, had been tricked into an ambush. My heart sank as they read the news that the Lancers were decimated. The remainder of the army had taken up a defensive position as the remaining lancers and infantry fell back. The hoards had entrenched themselves within the forest, and were well protected on all sides, while our troops were in a poorly defensible position in the nearby fields. For all accounts it seemed to be a stalemate.

The days pass slowly now, and still no news, the garrison commander has decided to send a patrol out to gather information firsthand. Leaving the Inn in the care of long time friend, I volunteered my sword to the task at hand. Whether the commander knew of my involvement with Essiandra or not I didn't know, but the rumors of our last night together had spread quickly. He seemed to be searching my soul as he looked into my eyes, and with a slight smile, he agreed that all swords would be welcome. I had not strapped on a sword since the death of my beloved, it was a strange feeling, but one I didn't mind. Once before I had failed in my duty, and all I cared for had been lost. I would not allow it to happen again.

It took two days of hard riding to get to the hills overlooking the battlefield, while we were unable to see any details, we could see that our people were in trouble. The creatures had adopted a strike and fade tactic, making a rapid attack from the sides or front, then sinking back into the shelter of the forest. From what I could see, what was left of our army was badly shaken, and appeared to be split into three distinct positions, all of which were cut off from the others.

Commander Gorinth seems insecure in his position, unable to decide whether to stay and watch, or move in and do what we can to help. With a total of four score and six of us, there's little chance that we could make much of a difference, but anything would be better than sitting here watching our allies get slaughtered. This afternoon I proposed to the commander that we move in from the left side and attempt to provide an escape for the besieged troops. I will give him until dawn to make a decision, then, if need be I will go on alone.

**We awoke with the sun today, only to find Gorinth had wandered off in the night. Several of the other volunteers voted to turn back to the relative safety of the city walls. After talking to the next ranking officer, a dwarven axeman named Quinn, we managed to persuade the others to stay and help with the diversion. We set our path to cross behind and to the left of the furthest position our divided army had occupied, hoping against all hope that we could surprise the enemy long enough for them to make a controlled retreat. Whether or not my plan is suicide I can not say, but I'll be damned if I sit and do nothing when she may still be alive.

Setting the book down again, Jeri wondered what this man must be going through and marveled at what she was reading. The fact that she was in another world should have been more shocking than it was, yet somehow she didn't seem to mind, besides, if she was here, that so was he, and she still had plans for that murdering bastard. Getting up and moving to the door, she noted that it was getting to be late afternoon, unless of course the sun didn't rise in the east and set in the west here that is. She discovered several large candles and a tinderbox by the desk, gathering them up, she returned to the table and took stock of what she had just read. Now, if she was reading this correctly, the man had screwed a centaur, that seemed a bit strange in her eyes, but love is love right? Chuckling over the mental picture that popped into her mind of the scene, she read on.**

We are poised to strike as soon as the sun sets, one of our fastest men managed to get a message to the troop commander informing him of our plan. In his words "we were out of our heads, but he would take any help he could get right now."

This may well be my last entry, if it is to be so, then know this, I have loved and been loved twice in my lifetime, and if I die defending that love then I die a happy man.

The plan worked, we were able to tie the enemy up long enough for not one, but two of the positions to withdraw. We however would have been killed had it not been for the elves, who took it upon themselves to fall back only far enough to cover our escape with their longbows. Once outside the shelter of the forest, the hoard lost their courage against the hail of missiles being thrown at them. Once they retreated back into the deeper parts of the wood, all of us managed to pull back to the hills. At the moment we are scattered over too large of an area to be sure who is alive and who was lost, but I can only pray that she is among the ones that survived.

I found her, she was wounded in the battle but she lives, I feel as if the weight of the land has been lifted from my heart. The clerics tell me that I must wait for them to complete the healing before I may see her, but the thought of her alive is enough for now.

I have been offered a position with the regular infantry today as well as the cavalry, but the only position I will accept is one which allows me to be with my love. The Lancer commander is still among the missing, so my request shall have to wait until we return to the city.

We move out this morning, which gives me little time to visit with Esiandra, who is still weak from her injuries. The look of surprise and joy at seeing me brought tears to eyes that had been dry for far too long. How long I held her in my arms I can not say, but I felt the strength flow back into my weary body at her touch and the flame in my heart grew into an inferno. When we do leave this place, it will be as it should, together.

By the time we had reached the city, the majority of the troops were already there, arriving a full day ahead of the wounded and those dispatched to guard their slow trek back. The city had been renamed Valienthope, expressing the feelings of those within its walls. During the time I was away, several things had happened. First, a pyre had been lit atop the highest peak in the Orin Mountains, signaling that the mage had completed his journey, now if he can just compel the beasts to come to our aid. Second, no more than a days ride from here to the west was a caravan the length of which hasn't been seen in ages. It seems that the Lords from the north and west have decided that our war concerns them as well and have sent their best troops to join the fray.

The inn was almost as I left it, minus several kegs of ale. Somehow, the walls in which I entombed myself for all these cycles seem confining now. I feel that once this war is finished I may have to move onward to something more open and spacious. Essiandra has told me of the village that she comes from, and it sounds wonderful. She tells me that within her society, there are those that take both human and equine mates without fear of reprisal. As she explained it to me, "if it weren't for a human mage's love of a horse, her species could never have been." We are together in all ways now, our time is spent side by side, as it should be.

There was a commotion at the southernmost wall last night. Several sentries say they saw gouts of flame in the distant sky over the mountains. Could they truly be gathering to decide the fate of the land?

Several days have passed since the sighting, and still nothing. Perhaps it was nothing more that a storm on the horizon. The caravan has come and gone, leaving behind supplies for a full three cycles, as well as a full score more armies to bring the fight back to the dark hoard. The numbers of troops and equipment are too much for the city walls to hold, and we have started the construction of a second wall outside the existing one. Peasants from leagues around have begun to flock to the city, believing it to be the only safe haven in this ravaged land. With them they bring tales of horrible creatures who hunt them as they would a deer. I am not given to believing strange tales, but the look of horror in the eyes of these people give truth to their words.

The unthinkable happened tonight, just after the moon was at its peak, creatures that defy description erupted from the sewage tunnels. Savage and malicious creatures whose very bodies were instruments of death, these were what the peasants had fled from, and now they were here. All told, two score were killed or injured before the troops could react, but retribution was swift and all eight of the creatures were quickly dispatched. This was enough to dispel the feeling of security we had all grown too accustomed to. The smiths are at this very moment, forging metal grates to cover the entrance to the underground pipes. The dwarves, who have keen night vision, volunteered to clear any remaining creatures from the pipes while the smiths do their work.

The bodies of the dead have been removed from the pipes, all ten dwarves that went underground were killed. The only one to make it back before he died, assured the sentry that they had done their duty to their king, and had cleared the pipes of all our enemies. Even in death, the Dwarven pride shines bright for all to see. All told there were three score of the hellish creatures lurking below our feet. If not for the bravery of the few, many more would have perished.

Salvation came today on wings of shining color, dragons, enough to block out the sun, converged on Valianthope. Astride the lead beast, was Darian Black, who's broad smile told us all that we needed to know. Now we had the advantage, the oldest and most powerful of all the creatures in the land had joined our cause, and side by side we shall drive the darkness back to hell from whence it came.

Our scouts report that the dark one himself has been sighted at Cromodor, to the east, leading his army of hellish creatures and willing followers alike. As we prepared to make our final stand against the encroaching darkness, I once again made a decision that would forever change my life. Essiandra and I approached the mage, and told him of our plight. Darian smiled and replied, "Go forth as one in life, as you are already as one in spirit and may the blessings of all the gods be upon you, now and in whatever future we make for ourselves this day." That said, he took up his lance and climbed upon the huge golden dragon who quickly took to the sky.

**Our happiness was now complete, we were given the choice, based on her injury, and my deeds at the forest, to follow and fight, or to go in peace with the kings blessings. My feelings were torn, I couldn't bear to lose another that I loved, but to quit now, after all we had struggled to obtain seemed wrong somehow. She said not a word, but in her eyes her duty was clear, she loved me as I loved her, but our work was not done. Steeling myself against the words that were forthcoming I told her that our path lies with them, and to stray now would surely cause us to lose our way. The way her eyes lit up will forever be burned into my memory, I understand now the pride those dwarves must have felt, knowing where their duty lay, despite the odds against them. We would fight them she said, and we would defeat them together, as it was always meant to be.

As she came to the final entry in the book, Jeri noticed that the handwriting was different than that of the previous entries.**

The battle is over now, I have read all that my love had written, and I know in my heart that he would want his work finished. The evil one has been sent back to wherever he came from, the final battle lasted for days on end, neither side holding anything back. Mages and demons fought with their spells, while we fought with whatever was at hand, be it hoof, or fist, or blade of steel, we would not falter. In the end we triumphed, but the land itself has lost. As the battle reached an end, and the dark one vanished, he cast about him one last incantation, a curse of sorts. With his dying breath, he cast out all humans from this realm, citing them as the reason for his demise. Our offspring will never have the chance to know their sire in the flesh, but I vow to all that is good, that they shall know the human that was their father.

I shall place this journal in the spot where I first saw him, and though I know he is alive somewhere, I write this note as a farewell to my mate. Johonas Finch, know that I shall forever cherish what you gave to me in the time we had together. You have given me your seed to carry with me as with your memory. Your son or daughter shall know of your bravery and the songs of your deeds will flow to the sky from a multitude of voices. May my love follow you to wherever you may be, as yours will live forever in my heart.

_ Essi_

Wiping the tears that came uncontrollably to her eyes, Jeri read that final passage over and over again, her heart aching for a love that deep. Noting that the sky was growing dark, she blocked the door as best she could, gathered the candles and the book and headed to the back in hopes of finding a place to sleep.

She awoke sometime during the night to an odd scraping sound coming from the bar area. Surprising herself with the quickness in which she had fallen asleep in this strange land, she grabbed up one of the still lit candles and, with gun in hand, made her way to the bedroom door. With her ear pressed tightly against the cool wood, she listened for several minutes. Once again the sound reached her ears, the unmistakable sound of claws on the hardwood flooring just outside the door. Stepping back from the door, she set the candle down, using a piece of broken glass to reflect the flame toward the door, she eased herself against the far wall and waited. The sound drew closer now, and as the handle of the door jiggled ever so slightly her fingers tightened instinctively around the pistols wide grip. Now there was another sound, the sound of snuffling from beneath the door, something has smelled either her, the candle, or perhaps both, either way, it now knew for certain that someone was in the room. The sounds stopped suddenly only to be replaced by an eerie silence and in that silence Jeri could almost feel the floor shake in rhythm to her fast beating heart. The silence was broken by an impossibly loud wailing sound, which seemed to come from all corners of the building at once, as if several dozen voices cried out at the same time, demanding to be heard. From within the wailing there came another sound, this time it seemed to be coming from inside her own head, it was the sound of voices, and she knew it was meant for her alone, it was the sound of joy. Lowering the gun, she walked to the door, and throwing caution to the wind slowly opened it. She was knocked to the floor by several fur covered bodies all struggling to cover her face with their wet tongues. Pushing back from them as best she could, she sat up and for the first time got a good look at her new found friends, who had formed a tight ring of bodies around her. Wolves of various color filled the room and more stood in the hallway, all with that knowing grin that canines seem to have down to a science. Unable to suppress a smile, Jeri held out her hand to the nearest one, speaking softly to it thanking it for the undeserved attention, her hand was soon filled with one giant chin as the leader of this pack moved forward to accept her invitation at friendship. How she knew that he was the leader, she had no clue but in her mind, it was all too clear. By this time the rest of the pack, after careful inspection of both Jeri and her possessions, began to pick out their spots on the floor and the bed, and lay down to sleep. The leader, who Jeri had dubbed Thor, due to the streaks of lightning like grey in his jet-black fur, barked an order and several of the pack took up positions outside in the hallway. Feeling safer than she had felt in a long time, Jeri found a gap on the bed, and snuggled down to sleep again.