Erdezo scolded Viera for falling asleep. The rest of the Ki'vatsu would not even look at Viera. "This is why I suggested we head back—our specified mission has come to a close. Now we're just acting on the impulse of foolish emotion," said Rory.

Erdezo cursed his breath as dozens of pairs of eyes peered into their hut where the eight men sat, helpless. Reja unsheathed his blade, its yellow glow was met with loud whispers and intrigued chatter from the people of Sunswood who watched from outside.

"Put that away Reja, it is not the time. We aren't going to cut down hundreds of people, not here. Listen to me Reja, Reja!" Reja had begun moving to the door and before he could kick it open, the door opened on its own and three bottles with green vapor were tossed into the room and its odor filled the cabin immediately. The door was closed and barred, and Reja struggled to get it open.

"They're poisoning us! Help me break this door down!" Reja was desperate to pry open the door, but it didn't budge.

The Ki'vatsu did not have time to act, the odor quickly knocked the men unconscious as they almost simultaneously crumbled to the floor.

Erdezo jerked awake, but time had passed, and he was now restrained to a wooden board. He could barely crane his neck to either side to see his companions restrained beside him. None of them had yet awoken, but his peripheral led him to believe there were other men in the room with them, watching. It was a wooden room, and it was extremely warm. Erdezo tried to use his words but he could not, he couldn't hear anything either. He yawned and his ears popped a little and he could then begin to hear whispers from the men on the outer edge of the room, but he could not make out what they were saying.

A man came into view right above Erdezo with bushy white whiskers and a weathered face. His nose was plump and round, but his eyes were young and excited.

"Welcome to Weptswur. You must have been lost. Let me introduce myself. I am Edmund Nightclaw. You are lucky you fell into my care. If the King found you first, you'd be dismembered by now. He's a terrible man. I'm sure you'd be on your fourth cup of tea by now. The wine would be just days old as well—just terrible hospitality. Instead, you're with me. You don't have to be frightened; we won't hurt you as long as you do as we say. Easy, eh? Now, If I'm not mistaken, by account of those magnificent blades you wield, you would be Ki'vatsu of Rednork. Long way from home you are, I'd ask you why that is, but you won't be able to speak for a while...or maybe ever. But that's fine, a wise man once told me that we all speak too much." The sorcerer laughed so hard he almost fell to the ground coughing. His face was red as a cherry by the end of the coughing spell. One of his men had come to his aid hoping to help but Edmund only shoved him away, his nail catching the man on the cheek and drawing blood.

Reja had woken up now too. He began to struggle against the constraints and managed to snap off his arm constraints before he was subdued by Edmund's men and an injection of something was sent into his arm and he was soon motionless again. Erdezo had not been surprised, Reja was one of the strongest men he had ever commandeered, not just physically, but mentally as well.

"See, as long as you behave, I won't have to do that to you Erdezo. And yes, I know your name. We have seen you coming for a long time. I am excited about what we can do together, my friend."

Edmund walked away towards a table behind Erdezo and he removed a cloth that covered a round item. The item was glowing so bright the entire room was drenched in its brightness and beauty. He unveiled the item before Erdezo and he clenched his eyes shut as hard as he could but its brightness still burned his eyes and he tried to scream but nothing came out. Edmund covered it again with the black cloth and began his coughing fit of laughter again.

"Do you know what that is, Erdezo? Is that something that you would travel across seas for? I'll tell you what it is. Those are the stones of Ertorin, coveted by every man in the continent of Modena. Its power is overwhelming. It is in my possession, yes, but I do not have the full capability of its powers because I am not the heir to its power. However, the one who is the heir to its power dwells among us, the people of the north. I have seen it, in my visions, in my sleep. It really depends on the stone, however. Sorcerers used to use the stones all the time before they were prosecuted by the Magi Knights because of jealousy."

Erdezo was furrowing his brows, but there was no telling how much he was soaking in. Groggy from the gaseous poison and unable to speak, he was a vegetable at the moment.

"And you, my friend, are going to help me find its heir...don't say anything if you comply, dear friend." Edmund Nightclaw gave another laugh which resulted in a severe hacking cough, and Erdezo felt his lungs tighten and he wanted to scream, but nothing came out.