He arose from his chair and walked slowly across the room. He spied the halberd standing in the corner. The weapon, once wielded by Talon of Felucca, stood as a quiet painful sentry. He reached his personal chest and inserted the key. The chest opened with a groan and a rush of sadness gripped the noble lord. Inside he could see the gifts and trophies of the past. A boat statue once bestowed on him by Lord Porthos in his much younger days. A black staff rescued from the Orc fort and given to him by Lord Aremis as a commemoration of a most heroic stand they made there. A brightly colored robe worn by Ghandi during the dark Felucca times. Golden armor, made by Lord Govvonon, and never picked up by the now long absent Lord Kern. Finally he came to the bag which he had cherished for so long.

Starmore returned to his chair and loosened the drawstring. He poured the contents into his open palm and a rush of tears filled his eyes. His blurry eyes regarded the small brightly colored bird statue, which looked back at him from his hand. He had known that he would use this sometime but not this soon. Perhaps it is the time and he had just not realized it sooner.

The statue was a gift of the Phoenix. It had been given to him before the Trammel move. He understood it to be an invocation…a calling to the Phoenix for passage. The Phoenix had promised that in reward for many years of service that, when he was tired, worn out and no longer needed, the High Lords of the Heavens would send a white ship to transport him to their serving halls where he might find in peace. Starmore fingered the figurine.

Who would head the guild? Who would safeguard the Phoenix's interests in his absence? Would anyone even care? Tears again filled his eyes as he realized that a whole new generation of guild members had not needed him for some time. They would find a new suitable leader. They would do just fine without him.

He arose slowly knowing what he was about to do was no light matter. A single tear rolled down his cheek as he thought of the Lady Robyn. He had loved her so deeply for so long. He could never bring himself to tell her. Instead he choose to guard her with undying devotion. Even she no longer needed him, choosing instead the company of younger more vital members. He arrived at the window and peered into the gloom. A teardrop fell from his cheek and landed on the statue he grasped in his hand. He felt the statue move and he opened his hand to find a small brightly colored phoenix. It looked at him with compassionate eyes and waited for him to respond. He hesitated. Fear, he thought.

Slowly Starmore, High Lord of the EFP, Lord of Cadwallen, and Protector of the Phoenix, raised the statue high and, with a deep sigh, sent it on its way. He returned to his chair by the hearth, buried his head in his hands, and awaited the arrival. He wondered how long it would be.

Faith.
A man stands facing the infinite Tempest,
As it rushes, unrelenting, toward him.
His eyes fill with tears of memory.
The Tempest of Darkness smiles.
How has he come to this point?
Where have the happy days gone?
The spirits of the past manifest about him.
And still the Darkness comes…
With desperate Faith, the man reaches out,
Calling unto the spirits.
Calling out into the emptiness of doubt.
And in the emptiness a light is seen…
The Phoenix doth stir.

Hope.
On wings of Time,
Clothed in the spirit of Fire,
The Phoenix rushes forth.
Faster the Darkness comes.
But faster still, the Phoenix flys.
And with it, the evocation is begun.
And the Spirits of Friends answer the summons.
Back to back he stands with them,
Souls intertwined and unified by the fires of the Phoenix.
The Man holds fast as the Darkness engulfs him.
The Abyss rushes through him, and the darkness rips past.
Tears of pain roll down his cheeks in a torrent
From aged eyes.
But still he holds fast, unmoving, unrelenting…
Aye, he holds fast, with strength More than the timelessness of the Stars.
This man, this Starmore, holds fast.
And Hope doth Stir.

The Abyss howls in protest.
The man roars with defiance.
The Darkness rages,
Pushing the Starmore to his knees.
And still he remains, unrelenting in his fight.
The darkness pushes him to the ground,
Pushes until it can push no longer…
And with a strength more fathomless than the deepest cavern,
Starmore pushes back.

The Phoenix doth rises,
Even from the ashes.
Aye, the Phoenix doth rise.
Fires of hope replace the tears in his eyes.
And the Darkness loses momentum,
The winds of the Abyss begin to calm.
The clothed in armor of fire,
Armed with the Sword of Kinship
Stands fast.

The Abyss relents…
Fades into the Darkness,
And in the light of the Phoenix,
Event the Darkness doth fade.
And in the company of friends who need him.
In the presence of souls who love him.
He doth stand.

The Darkness cannot defeat him although it may try,
For you cannot defeat that which refuses to die.

He arose from the chair that had hosted his tormented repose of the previous night and stretched his aching back. He moved haltingly to the writing table in the corner and opened the leather bound box. A small red bird stood perched on the open window and regarded him curiously. Star had never seen a bird of this type here on the island before. He removed a sheet of parchment from the box. His gnarled hands fumbled for the small quill pens at the bottom of the box. His hands were far more suited for the hilt of a sword and not for the fine instruments of the scribe. He spread the parchment across the writing table and prayed to the Phoenix for the inspiration to write the words.

Words came but they did not come from the Phoenix. Lord Star's heart so long repressed by duty and position burst forth like a mute suddenly given a voice. Thoughts and emotions, dreams and memories poured from this too full pitcher and, with a heartfelt trembling hand, he began to write.

My dearest Robyn,
For so long I have refused to give voice to my true feelings. Too long I have cared for you from afar without either a sign or a word. Now that my time grows short, I feel I must show you the depth of my heart. I am a warrior. More suited to the ways of death then to the ways of life. But I can assure you that there is no one who loves you deeper. No one who cares for your well being more than I do. I cannot speak the words of the bards, nor sing the sings of love that would touch your heart. My duties have always been bloodier and more base. Yet, if I could trade my life and all that I am for a few moments of song, I would sing a love song so sweet and true that the gods themselves would envy its tones. Now it is too late. I must leave you and this life and travel the white ship I have summoned. But know this well…if there is any way for me to return to you, I shall. If there is a way to protect you, I shall. If there is a way to love you more, I shall. I shall always love you!
Your servant and friend,
Starmore

Starmore, feeling vulnerable and alone, sealed the parchment with his wax seal and arose from the writing table. The red bird spied him compassionately from its perch on the windowsill. As Star climbed the stairs to Robyn's chambers he reflected on their long life together as friends. From their early lives in Lorillarde…to the grand voyage to Britannia…the creation of the guild and beyond…Star realized how he had always loved and adored Robyn. Why only now did he realize this?

The door to Robyn's chamber was slightly ajar. Starmore crept in silently and placed the scroll on her night table. He gazed lovingly at the still sleeping lady wishing he could take her in his arms and kiss her just once. Instead he slowly turned with tears in his eyes and quietly left her chambers. A mournful cry of sorrowful bird could be heard as he left the chamber to check the coast.

“Well good morning to you too my little Aria”, Robyn said sitting up and stretching. The little bird ruffled his feathers as if in response and continued singing. What a lovely morning, she thought as her eyes took in the new day.

Hmm…What is this, she wondered, reaching for the rolled up parchment on the table. Immediately she recognized the seal that belonged to Starmore. Her mind raced…this was not like Starmore… in all the long years she had known him, never would he enter her private chambers. A feeling of apprehension washed over her as she broke the seal.

'My dearest Robyn…
Robyn sat stunned as the parchment rolled itself back up in her hands. Infinite recollections filled her mind and time dissolved into nothingness.

“M'lady!” “Robyn can you hear me?” Eowyn waved the vial of pungent liquid in front of her face. “Why what? Robyn what are you saying?” Eowyn smiled as Robyn turned her face away from the smell that was assaulting her.

“M'lady can you speak? Can you tell me what ails you?”

“Fools!” Robyn bellowed, throwing off the covers and getting out of bed before Eowyn could object.

“Who are fools?” Eowyn asked, once again concerned and more confused then ever.

“Every damn one of us!” Robyn retorted, handing the scroll to the bewildered healer. Robyn hurriedly dressed while Eowyn looked wide eyed back and forth from the scroll to her friend.

“What will…Eowyn stopped in mid sentence regretting her words. Saying no more, she moved to her friend and hugged her. The two women stood for a moment in silent exchange and gathered their strength.

“Salim!” Robyn called.

The door opened without delay. “Yes M'lady?” Salim replied anxiously.

“Salim have you seen Lord Starmore this morning?

“No M'lady, I have not seen him this day. Shall I search for him?”

“Aye my friend, ready a ship. We leave within the hour”…

"Damnit, it has been entirely to long since I have used my magic." I pulled one of the scrolls Vharaek had inscribed during his studies and read from it transporting myself to Robyns side. Standing with her were Salim, Eowyn and Morgyn. I bowed, payed my respects to the witch and Salim, ogled Eowyn as had become my habit, and looked upon the face of my dearest friend Robyn. Never before had I seen her looking so haggard.

"M'lady," I spoke solemnly, "As a friend and founding member of the EFP, I vow to follow you to the ends of the Earth to locate our Lord Starmore." She showed me the letter, and a single teardrop fell from my eye. "I swear upon the house of Aslor that we shall not rest until your dearest has been returned to your arms." With that, I sent out a pigeon to Vharaek, and boarded the boat with my dearest friends...

"Stupid bird...you almost got yourself killed." He read the message upon the birds leg with interest. His mentor and friend Aslor was sending word that Lord Starmore had gone missing and all the help that could be mustered was needed. Brushing away the thoughts of seeing that marvelous witch Morgyn yet again, he began to cast the spell that would send him to the location of the ship. "What are the odds we will face orcs?" He asked with a gleam in his eye.

"Rest your mind mage" Aslor put in, "The vengeance you seek upon your father is entirely secondary to the mission of finding Lord Starmore." Seeing the disappointment upon his face the witch Morgyn added, "We will likely run into a host of monsters. Mayhaps one shall be the one you seek." Wiping the drool from his beard upon hearing the voice of the woman he secretly yearned for, he simply stated, "For EFP, Lord Starmore shall be found, and EFP shall be reunited under his rule. Monsters Beware!!!"

Just after he finished his thoughts the portal open'd he had but pray'd for the day before...his Goddess blessed him one more time.As he fades into the shimmering blue mass an fades out of sight to what place he know's not.

"The message will be answered my child", but the answer must wait the 7th rebirth of the sun. Putting it aside, he closed his eyes and rested in the silence of the night awaiting the first new day.

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