---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 14 Jul 98 21:36:43 PDT
From: Amy <nitehope@mychoice.net>
To: lcowper@indy.net
Subject: [DL-T] All Hope is Lost

Lyn, would you post this and send it to the rest of the group? Thanks :)


(after the time jump)

Ash perched on the outcropping, looking down into the thick forest below.
A breeze ruffled his hair; it was chill, reflecting the great height they had
come to.

His mind was in turmoil, chaotic, in bitter contrast to the peaceful scene
before him. What was he going to do? He had thought that he and Tahlaya
had reconciled their differences, but after that fiasco in Whiteriver they had
barely spoken. It had been a mistake, going there, dredging up their differences
in a place where he knew they would both feel the stress of loss and death.
Now he had no clue as to his next move. It wasn't like a chess game or a
battle, oh no; emotions were involved, and he was helpless as a baby when matters
of the heart were concerned. Whatever he said, whatever he did, just made the
arguments worse. The silences were longer, the bitterness uglier.

[[Why don't you just talk to one of your friends? You told me you couldn't
handle this yourself.]]

" You're right, of course. I can't talk to Trap right now, though, he's got his
own problems. And I can't go see Ophelia or R'chein, same reason. Perhaps...
what's wrong?"

[[I don't feel good, Ash, something's wrong...WRAITHS! ]]

"Come on, let's go!" He raced towards the saddle of his dragon, only to come
up short. A wall of wraiths had flown between them, blocking them...behind
the moving, dancing wall of greyish shapes he could see Wyndamenth's
outline.


[[ Ash! I can't reach you!! ]]

"How many more?!" He shouted. The wall had closed around him now, blocking
his view.

[[ You're...surrounded...and there's two groups coming in! ]]

"Get out of here!" he screamed.

[[ I won't leave you! ]]

"Damn you Wyndamenth, save yourself! Get help!!"

There was a roar, then the outline was gone. Something cracked against his
head, and then there was blackness.

**********************************

He awoke, feeling the rocking motion of  water beneath him. No brine smell, and
he could hear the rushing of water, so it must be a river. He could see nothing,
though, only the blackness of a veil over his eyes. Suddenly, he felt an overpowering
wave of nausea; he turned his head to throw up.

"Easy there. You were not treated very well. You might have a concussion."

He knew that voice. "Dirk?! Where are you? Get me out of this!" Already his
hands and feet had discovered tight bindings around them.

"I'm afraid I can't do that, Ash. I need you right where you are."

"Why?"

"You've been selected for a higher calling, you might say."

"And just what calling is that?"

"To help the newest Hive-Mother."

It took a moment for that to sink in, then Ash struggled frantically against his
bonds. It was useless; he was bound fast. "Hellspawn," he hissed.

"Such an ugly name for a beautiful symbiotic relationship. You'll understand."

"Parasitic, you mean. I'd die. So will you, if you even notice any more. How
much of you mind is left, Dirk? Can you even hear me?"

"You're wrong, Ash. What makes you think that the host has to die? It can be a
slow thing, the growth of the child-wraith within you. We gain the best of both
worlds; the use of your mind, and a new, superior wraith. We want you alive as
long as possible, and even when you're gone, a part of you will always be with
us, serving the Mother."

Ash shook his head. "I'll die. Somehow. I'll make it. I refuse."

"You can't. I'll see to that. Don't you get it? We need you, willing or not. You and
I, we're going to be a new breed. Strong, smart, fast. This slow war of attrition
against dragons and humankind, it's not working. As fast as they die, more
replace them."

"The same could be said for wraiths. Especially hellspawn."

"Really? I had thought we had a foothold, but so far it hasn't worked. We want
to know what was used against us. You can help."

"I refuse."

"My dear Ash, you have no choice at all. Once a wraith is inside you, it will take
over. Completely. All your memories, all your knowledge, everything. You will be
the perfect tool to thrust into the enemy. You will have a new army, Ash, one
whose power will astound you. It merely lacks direction. There is so little
strategy employed, and the Mother thinks that is our undoing. You will be
here to change things. And now..." Dirk advanced, smiling.

Ash lashed out at the voice, heard an involuntary grunt. "Such a bad boy, Ash.
Now to business." Hands grabbed his head, and Ash shrank back against
what he knew was coming.


Allen Veazey
wolf@dbtech.net