I

It had been many long months since the Council of the Lost Kindred had dispatched a contingent of their number to travel the many hundreds of miles back to Athel Loren. To reforge the kin ties lost by centuries of isolation had been their intention. These hopes soon turned sour, however, and a rejoining of the Lost Kindred to Athel Loren perhaps forever dashed in disagreement and bloodshed.

The Ancient Treeman Lord Barku, badly injured after the battle in the Woodland Realm and suffering from many wounds, headed west out of the forest in a torpor which greatly worried the rest of the Lost Kindred. Cerys Sunhair continually worked magical charms and spells of healing to revive the Venerable One in hope the Treeman would grow strong again.

And so, in their concern for the Tree Lord, the Grey Elves did not realise they strayed into the realm of Bretonnia until it was too late to avoid yet more conflict with the Lords of that chivalrous land, who, mistaking the Lost Kindred to be from Athel Loren, drove the elfkind out of their lands and towards the south.

Time passed and the Lost Kindred seemed to fade from the face of the world ...

II

Lord Barku had grown strong again. His incoherent wanderings had led the Lost Kindred always south. Across lands dead and terrible, he had been drawn by the smell of greenness, verdant vegetation, warmth and moisture; everything he required to rejuvenate himself. The Kindred had now spent some few months living on the edge of a mighty forest jungle and were once again feeling their nomadic lifestyle urging them to move on. Lord Barku, still requiring the closeness of the forest, headed east and into the darkest depths of the Southlands ...

The aura of magic had grown so irresistible it could no longer be ignored. Even though her skills were considerable, Cerys Sunhair, Spellsinger accompanying Lord Barku’s retinue, could not yet fathom the exact source of the power. She sensed a deep well of ancient knowledge that tapped the Winds of Magic with ease; and it was getting nearer.

The rain forest thinned as the Lost Kindred crested a rise to look across a vast clearing towards the unexpected sight of a city of stone and gold. The rays of the rising sun reflected in a million flashes of light giving the appearance that the city itself was made wholly from the precious metal.

It was not, however, the magnificence of this sight which caused the Wood Elves to slow their pace but an army emerging from the city gate to assemble in rank upon rank across the clearing. The creatures appeared reptilian in nature although walked upon their hind legs as though they were men. Powerfully built warriors moved to the middle ground their shields and weapons encrusted with jewels and exotic bird feathers whilst smaller fleet footed skirmishers darted in front of these to threaten a hail of javelins. To the Elves' left flank yet more skirmishers ran through the light undergrowth. Some appeared to be trying to warily herd large creatures in front of them with their spears.

As the Grey Elves watched this scene unfold before them, the air became charged with magic so strong Cerys Sunhair could taste it, whilst delicate forks of blue energy crackled over her skin. She could now make out on the slope opposite through a haze of magical energy, a gigantic toad-like creature seated upon an ornate but levitating throne. Almost immediately she felt a presence in her mind, "I am Lord Krull ....."

This time, the Lost Kindred did not wait to be attacked first.

The Dryad Handmaidens of Lord Barku's retinue moved with speed and purpose off to the left flank to engage with the Skinks and Salamanders who, in turn, advanced upon the Dryads. Before the two skirmishing forces could engage, however, the Dryads suffered terribly to the fire spat at them by the Salamanders. Glade Guard archers advanced into the middle of the field whilst Lord Barku himself and Glade Riders moved towards the right with the aim of gaining the flank and rear of the two blocks of Saurus Warriors. A withering hail of arrows was directed at the screen of Skink Skirmishers in front of one unit of Saurus, every one falling to a Wood elf arrow.

The Wood Elf Magic was ineffective against the Lizardmen for the whole of the battle, although Cerys Sunhair managed to keep damage to a minimum during the first few turns of the game.

Out on the Elves' left flank the Scar Veteran, who had been eyeing the Dryads, charged into combat with them but failed to take the initiative, eventually being pulled from his cold one mount after a protracted fight which saw the Dryads reinforced by more of their number. By now, the Wood Elf missile fire had devastated the Saurus unit exposed by the slaying of its skirmisher screen to such an extent, all it had remaining was the front rank and part of a second. The reptiles, so incensed at their huge losses, let lose roars of rage and charged Lord Barku who took the attack unblinking and kept the Saurus occupied thus allowing counter charges by Glade Riders and Findrith Thornbranch, a Wood Elf Noble of the Alter Kindred. The ensuing carnage saw all the Saurus slain mercilessly.

Victory over the Saurus caused the blood to sing in the Glade Riders veins and in high spirits, they surged across the battlefield in search of the Slann Mage-Priest without thought for their safety. They were not to return that day for they fell to blasts of magical energy and Salamander flame ...

Sensing a stalemate, Cerys Sunhair withdrew from the trees where she had been watching the battle. Salamanders were advancing through the greenery towards her, occasionally turning on their Skink handlers and devouring one or two.

In the centre of the field, Lord Barku faced a huge block of Saurus warriors. Primordial instinct banished all thought as he crashed into the massed ranks of Lizardmen. Findrith Thornbranch, sensing the Treeman Ancient's intentions, together with one remaining Dryad Handmaiden rushed to his Lord's aid, not wishing to see the Venerable Ancient severely wounded once more. The Dryad attacked the Skink Priest on the corner of the front rank, wounding but not killing the creature. Barku smashed at all before him whilst Thornbranch wielded his weapon with consummate skill and ease laying out nine Saurus Warriors between them. The press of the Lizards was still great, however and things could only get bloodier ...

Cerys Sunhair stood atop the rise staring intently across the clearing towards the melee where Lord Barku and Findrith Thornbranch were fighting with a fury which frightened her. All at once, she again felt the presence searching her mind. This time she did not try to block it out but hoped her intuition was correct.

"Mage-Mistress Sunhair ..." The voice in her head sounded achingly old and echoed as though it came across a vast distance.

"We only seek to protect our city and thought at first you came to threaten us. I now read in your soul this is not the truth. I shall call back the Thousand Scales to the confines of the Golden City and you shall continue upon the pathway along which you search."

It was not an order but a statement of intent so final there could be no disputing it.

As the Spellsinger turned her gaze back to where Lord Barku and Findrith had been engaged in battle, she saw the Lizards begin to withdraw.

"Thank you Lord Krull," Cerys thought back to the Slann. "In truth, I envy you for we have no home to call our own and for which to fight. We truly are The Lost Kindred."

An emptiness suddenly filled her so suddenly she thought she might drown beneath it.