In the Fire of Evil, To Seek Evil

[Lady Ditto Armunn]

Fire Island: Home of The d**ned.
The evening moon lit their way around the many trees as they searched. Dangerous territory with dangerous people. Some of the most powerful creatures lurking near by. The Dark Order men, Xarfre & Shadow Skull, were on their guard. Xarfre's serious brow ever alert to the many things that could go wrong on their journey. Shadow Skull's eyes scanning the darkness even as he quiped his jokes. This was, if they were lucky, the last leg of a journey that would bring their Dark Lady, the knowledge that she had sought for many years.
Ditto finally had the key she needed. And now, she had to put it all together. All the pieces had to fit perfectly together. The items gathered. The necessary people gotten. All for that single day she'd known in her heart would come.

Searching the island for most of the night, they finally spotted the top of a building. As they approached, it became clear that this was a Crypt. Not the library Ditto searched for, but at least, a sign that they were in the right area. A normal person would have run at the evil chill in the air. A shiver ran down Ditto's spine at she looked up at the doors of another nearby building. A feeling that came with power, power beyond death, beyond life. To feel the aura of the d**ned could bring one to his knees without even knowing why. Ditto knew why. They were some of the most powerful beings in the world. A power likened to that of her husband. The very reason she stood here now.

The surrounding areas and caves held much information for Ditto. It would perhaps go faster and easier if she didn't do her research in such privacy, but she couldn't be certain that the d**ned would aid her without wanting something in return. They might even be inclined to try to stop her. She hadn't seen anyone outside at that late hour, and so she would not disturb them. If she could not use their library, then she would just have to take the longer route and gather what information she could that would be found elsewhere on Fire Island.

The following day, found Shadow Skull too tired to irritate Xarfre in his usual manner, and he yawned his sleepiness. Xarfre too had been ready to leave long ago, yet held fast his watch over the Dark Lady as she finally closed her sketch pad.
"I think we have all that we need." She smiled fondly at the two tired soldiers. "There is much ta do now. Let's return home."

[Imryrr Armunn]

Two servants ran from Ditto's bedchamber in a scurry, nearly bumping into Imryrr in the process. Curious, the tall daughter of darkness, opened the door and was fortunate enough to dodge a book that landed with a slam against the door.
Diito was searching her book case furiously. Slinging books and papers behind her without noticing her daughter's approach.
Being careful to stay out of her way, Imryrr spoke up. "Mother, what are you doing?"
"Lookin'" was all the dark lady replied.
"For?"
Ditto turned on her heel and looked up at Imryrr, frustration and worry on her face. "The second circle of runes. There is a second circle! I have it in my picture book, but, there is a rune missin. I dunno why I failed ta draw it but....Imy we canna do the ritual without knowin what that single rune is!"
"Calm down, mother. Aren't all of the runes listed on the parchments that I found in that painting?"
"Nau. It only gives symbols, but na the exact runes themselves. I got that information from Fire Island from the cave there. Everythin has ta be exact or it will na work. Even Galnor warned of this." Calming down, Ditto sighed loudly. "I'll have ta go back ta Fire Island and start over."
Imryrr shook her head sternly. "No."
Ditto looked up at her suddenly. "Nau?"
"Mother, I do not need to remind you that I was not pleased to learn of your last visit there. And the fact that you took our brothers with you. It is the d**ned territory. They threaten our sister of darkness in Umbra even as we speak. You are not to go back there."
Imryrr's stoic stare revealed to Ditto that arguing would do no good. "Fine then!"
With that, Ditto sat down hard on a nearby chair and threw her head up in a pout.
Smiling slightly at her small argument won, Imryrr walked to the doors of the bedchamber to leave. "I'm glad we understand each other".

The heavy doors swung shut behind Imryrr and Ditto shook her head as she whispered aloud to herself. "There is much you do nau understand, little tall one."
Ditto rose and walked over to her desk. Her fingers reached up under the cold stone slab and pulled out a letter with the markings of the d**ned. Rereading over it briefly, Ditto smiled and sat down to write a reply.

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