 black chain unbroken.
	This is the symbol of my goddess, Zyri, and this necklace was a personal gift to me from her, he told her soberly.  I cant afford to lose this, and Im not going to need it for whats coming, so Im giving it to you, little bit.  Make sure you dont lose it.
	She looked at it like it was a live snake, then gingerly reached out for it.
	No, I dont think thatll be enough, he said, closing his paw around the amulet.  He took the chain between two huge fingers, then spread it apart and reached over, then pushed the chain down around her head.  She stood there in surprise as he put the shaeram around her neck, even more surprise when the chain shortened of its own volition to allow it to fit her, then he pressed it against her breastbone with his paw.  There will come a time, child, when youll have one of these of your own.  Inside of you is a gift, Zyrilen, a gift from my Goddess, and when you go to Sennadar, that gift will have a chance to be realized.  But until you earn a shaeram of your own, I want you to wear this one.  When you get your own, you can give mine back to me.
	I, I dont understand, Father, she said in confusion.
	Youre a Sorcerer, little bit, he told her.  And when you go to Sennadar, youll have a chance to explore the limits of that gift.  This shaeram is your birthright, Zyri.  And until you earn your own, I want you to wear mine.  Oh, we do need to take this off, he chuckled, removing the golden inlay from the back of the amulet.  He handed it to Mist.  Make sure that gets back to Spyder, Mist.  It doesnt belong to me.
	I, Im a Sorcerer? Zyri gasped.
	He nodded.  And a bloody strong one, he assured her.  When you get home, I want you to go to the Tower and learn all about your magic.  But not immediately, he smiled.   I want you to have time to settle in and get used to your new life.  Then, and only when youre ready, you should go and learn about your magic.  He put his paw on her shoulder, and one on Jals.  You can learn about your magic, and Jal can learn more about his magic from Sharawell, as much as she can teach him.  After Im done here, well find a Water Adept and bring him home to train you.
	I cant believe Im a Sorcerer, Zyri breathed.
	How is that possible? Kimmie asked him.
	Zyri is a descendent of the original Ancients, Tarrin explained.  Their blood was introduced into this world, and it flows in her veins.  The Adepts are also descendents of the Ancients, he said, looking at Jal fondly.  Their powers are related to Sorcery, because their power originally was Sorcery.  Theyve learned a way to adapt to this world, to use that power without the Weave, by tapping directly into the Elemental Planes.  Jal and Zyri, theyre related by blood to the Sorcerers.  They are the legacy of the Ancients, he said, looking at them.
	Thats why you can feel it when they do their magic, Kimmie reasoned.
	He nodded.  Because their power is related to mine.  Its not the same, but its close enough.  And that, little bit, is why you will have one of your own some day, he told her, tapping his shaeram.  Just dont get attached to that one.  Its mine, and Ill want it back, he winked.
	Oh, Father! Zyri cried, buring herself in his arm.
	He hugged the children for a long moment, then stood up and embraced Mist once more as Phandebrass began to chant loudly in the discordant language of magic.  Tarrin looked up, and saw that the sun was now touching the upper edge of the mountains, and it was time for Phandebrass to begin.
	Im afraid, my mate, Mist said in the manner of the Cat, staring into his eyes.  Im afraid Im going to lose you.
	You can never lose me so long as you dont want to, Mist, he answered.  I will always be here, no matter how much distance separates us, and so long as you never let go, I can never leave you.  He put his paw over her heart.  I love you, Mist.
	She reached up and put her paw on his cheek, and he closed his eyes and bowed his head.  Remember that, Mist, he said aloud.  Remember.
	I will, she promised.
	He leaned down a little and kissed her gently, sweetly, and then pushed her out to arms length.  Phandebrass is almost done.  Its time for you to go home, my mate.
	Behind her, in front of Phandebrass, there was a sudden brilliant flash of light.  That light was a spot of light before him, within the circle, which quickly expanded into a line, then rotated on itself to create a swirling gateway of brilliant blue-white energy.  The gateway hummed and crackled very loudly with magical power, and the wind suddenly kicked up, blowing out of it.  The smell of that air was humid and salty, and Tarrin realized he was smelling the salt air of Suld.  The gateway had been opened onto the Tower grounds directly.
	Now is not the time to dawdle! Phandebrass screamed over the sound.  We only have four minutes!  Quickly, quickly!  He looked to Tarrin.  I say, be careful, lad, and good luck to you!  Ill see you soon, I will! he called with a wave, then he turned and rushed into the gateway.  Immediately behind him, Neh and Kyrienna moved into the gateway, as did Camara Tal.  Koran Tal stopped to give Tarrin a salute, then he too stepped into it and vanished.  Sarraya zipped out of the crowd and vanished, and Ariana jogged through.
	Anayi quickly stepped up to him.  I was looking for you, Tarrin.  I wanted to say goodbye and good luck, she said, offering her hand.
	He took it quickly.  Thank you.  Go quickly, Anayi.  Theres not much time.
	I know.  Be careful, Tarrin.  You know whats ahead.
	Im ready for it.
	She nodded, then rushed past the children and up to the gate, then vanished into it.
	Go, Mist.  Go now, Tarrin ordered.  Take care of the cubs.
	I will, she promised, hugging him one more time.  He embraced Kimmie, and then hugged Zyri and Jal one last time, then pushed the children towards the gate.  Go, he ordered.  Go quickly.
	Zyris eyes were full of tears as she took Jals hand, then turned and rushed towards the gateway.  Mist was directly behind them.  Without looking back, Mist herded the children into the gateway, and then they were gone.  Kimmie glanced at Tarrin with her heart in her eyes and the gate, and then she too stepped into it and vanished.
	Tarrin closed his eyes and bowed his head, missing any number of waves from friends, and missing as the Dura started herding the Pegasi through the gate and to Sennadar.  His mates and his children were gone now.  His friends were gone.  There was only him and Dolanna now, and there was nothing left standing between him and his fateful confrontation with the One, and his meeting with the Demon Lord.  There was fear there, and trepidation, and a grim knowledge of what had to be doneand what it was going to cost.  What it would cost him, what it would cost this worldbut there was no choice in the matter.
	With deliberate slowness, he leaned down and picked up his staff and sword.  He had given his children the Cats Claws and his precious shaeramand that was what needed to be done.  They would be needed later, but they could not help him in what was coming.
	Dolannas scent washed through his nose.  He looked to her, saw the sadness in her eyes, and he put a paw on her shoulder.  They watched wordlessly as their friends and family filed through the gate one by one, until all that was left was Azakar being carried in his litter by Ulger and Kang.  They all saluted wordlessly towards Tarrin and Dolanna, and then they were gone.
	Tarrin and Dolanna turned their backs on the gate, not watching as the Dura that were going hurried as quickly as they could through the gate.  There was nothing more for them to see, no more reason to look.
	And now it is you and me, Dolanna sighed in Sharadi.  Are you ready, my dear one?  For whatever might come?
	Ive been ready for a long time, Dolanna, he answered in Sharadi.  Well be leaving in just a little bit.
	I saw that theyve taken my Pegasus, she said.  Am I riding with you?
	Yes, he answered.  We have a long way to go, so we have to get started.  Are you ready?
	Dear one, I am ready, she said, her voice clear that her words had multiple meanings.
	He looked down at her and nodded.  Im ready too.
	Dear one, your shaeram, she said, touching his bare chest meaningfully.
	I gave it to Zyri.  I dont want to risk losing it.  Or my Cats Claws.  He rubbed his bare wrists absently.  Its been so long, Im surprised all the fur wasnt rubbed off my arms.
	But, how did you take it off? she asked in surprise.
	He gave her a slight smile.  Give me more credit than that, Dolanna, he chided.
	She laughed.  I guess I should.  Some day, you must explain how you did it.  She put her hand on his forearm fondly, stroking the short, thick fur there.  Oh, my dear one, she sighed.  Im afraid of whats coming.
	I am too, old friend, he told her, patting her hand with his paw gently.  I am too.  But its what we have to do.  And Id be lost if you werent here to guide me.
	She chuckled ruefully.  I stopped guiding you years ago, old friend.
	No, Dolanna, he told her as they walked away from the gateway.  You guide me every day.  And now more than ever, Im going to need your wisdom.
	It has been a long road, hasnt it? she asked.
	Very long, he answered.  And theres much more road ahead of us.
	Ah, so he admits that he might live through this, she teased with a smile.
	Ill be the first to admit that anything is possible, he chuckled ruefully.
	You should.  Youve proved it time and time again, she smiled.
	Then lets hope I have one more left in me.
	Indeed.

Chapter 17

	The night was cloudless and brilliant, with the blue and green moon Elara casting light down upon the land, shadowing the rolling hills of windswept grass in hues of sapphire and emerald.  It was a windy night as air rushed before a storm system to the northwest, which skirted the high mountains.  Sleepy villagers below slumbered in their rude mud-brick hovels, resting in preparation for another grueling day in fields that broke the graceful symmetry of the wild grasslands with rough rectangles of crops.
	A dark shadow passed over those crops, then over the village.  The villagers slept on in oblivious indifference, but the tiny Quasit that resided in the church in the center of the village quivered in terror as that shadow passed over.  It knew what it was, and it had stern orders to report immediately if that shadow passed over its territory.
	It had reason to be afraid.  The shadow was cast by a titanic creature that was not natural to that world, a mighty beast with golden scales that soared effortlessly through the air high above on an arrow-straight course southeast, towards the tiny speck that might be visible on a clear day, a tiny speck which was the ever-present plume of ash that rose thousands and thousands of spans over the volcano at the ruins of Pyros.  The shadow was cast by a gold dragon, which was the borrowed form which Tarrin Kael held both to intimidate and terrorize the opposition into not getting in his way, and a means by which to carry his mentor Dolanna.
	She rode between his horns, tied to them by ropes around her slender waist as more straps secured her legs and stabilized her atop his head.  In her arms was a tiny replica of the mighty dragon, a drake with golden scales that rested comfortably within the gentle arms of the small woman.  She seemed to be dozing, with her eyes closed and her head bowed, but it was more to keep the wind out of her eyes than any need to rest.
	Id give you my visor, but thats back in Sennadar now, Tarrin called to her in her native language, seeming to know what bothered her without being able to see.  So is my bow.  I should have kept that.
	Ill be fine, dear one, she replied.  Since the others had left, they communicated with each other exclusively in Sharadi.  It had long been Tarrins custom to speak to others in their native tongue, if he knew itand odds were, he did.  His aptitude for languages was almost legendary back home.  Its the wind more than anything else.
	I know, its getting worse, he said.  Even as big as I am, Im finding myself getting pushed by gusts.  That storm over there is going to get really nasty.  He nudged his head a bit to his right.  The Dura packed us a tent, didnt they?
	She reached behind herself, where a large pack was tied behind her, which she partially used as a backrest.  She patted it a couple of times.  Im sure they did, she answered.  They were quite thorough.  She chuckled.  They packed a flint and steel.
	Tarrin chuckled lightly, a deep, rasping sound.  That was a bit compulsive, he agreed.  Did they pack the food I asked for?
	Yes, a months worth of dry rations, she answered.  I dont understand why you asked for it, dear one.  You yourself said it will only take us two days to get to Pyros.
	Its for afterward, he told her.  Remember, whichever of us is trapped inside the Ward will have to live.  The food is just in case.
	Whichever of us?  Not both?
	No, not both of us, he answered.  If I live through it, there wont be a need for you.  Ill send you home.  If I dont make it, then therell just be you.
	Dear one, if you dont make it, I certainly wont, she said simply.
	You will, he said adamantly.
	You seem certain of that.
	Im absolutely positive.  Even if I die, theyll never touch you.
	Ah.  No doubt part of the plan that you wont tell me about, she said lightly.
	Who says I have one?
	Dear one, I know you too well.  Theres something brewing underneath those ears.  I can see it on your face.
	Youre sure?
	My dear one, you are way too calm, she told him.  You only get like that when you have a plan of action.  If you were approaching this without knowing exactly what you were going to do, youd be diving on the villages below to vent your anger.
	You already know the plan, Dolanna.
	Yes, I know the plan.  And I also know that if that plan was all the plan you had, there would be infernos rising into the skies behind us, she said pointedly.
	You know me too well, Dolanna, he admitted.
	Now, care to enlighten me?
	Not here, not now, he answered.  I have no doubt that the Demon Lord can hear every word we say, and Id rather not give him any more advantages than he has already.
	Why the subterfuge then?
	Its not subterfuge, my friend.  Its prudence.  Theres no telling where the Demon Lord has eyes, not when he has Demons that can shapeshift just as easily and completely as I can.
	Thats true, but there were any number of times when we were alone with family and friends.
	And fight endlessly over it?  No, he grunted.  Just have faith in me, Dolanna.  Weve already won, they just dont know it yet.  Theyll find out when we arrive, though.
	I have faith in you, dear one.  Ive seen you get out of too many situations like this to think you cannot do it again.
	Thanks, he said, adjusting his flight after a strong gust pushed him sideways.  I hope I can get past that before it soaks us.  As big as I am, Im sure to draw lightning if I get wet.  Thats why you never see anything but a blue flying near a thunderstorm.
	Ill remember that, she chuckled.  Are we going to land if it gets too close?
	We cant wait, he answered.  We must get to Pyros by tomorrow night.  The spells Ive cast arent permanent.
	What spells, dear one?
	Several, he answered.  Theyre designed to get you home, and most of them are contingency spells in case I live through this and Im not in a position or condition to send you home myself, but theyre not permanent.  So I planned ahead.
	You, planning ahead? she asked lightly.  Much unlike you, dear one.
	We all get senile as we get older, he answered, which caused her to laugh.	
	The wind turned cold quickly, which caused Tarrin to immediately alter his course, turning his tail to the approaching stormfront.  Massive wings thrust heavily against the air, which caused Dolanna to pull against her ropes as the dragon form suddenly accelerated.  Now we race, Tarrin called.
	Dolanna grabbed the ropes and pulled against them, taking the strain from her waist.  I am ready, she called in reply.
	Burrow in, Fireflash, Tarrin ordered as his wings tripled their beat, causing him to race before the stormfront, using the windwall as a tailwind to assist in propelling him forward.  Fireflash secured himself in front of the Sorceress and held on with his claws gripping Tarrins scales as the dragon slowly but steadily pulled ahead of the advancing storm, using its own wind to help push him before it.  Once he got enough distance, he angled gently away from the storm, and slowly started drifting back on course even as he continued to push further and further from the stormfront.  He would still be under the front, but the storm that was coming was an isolated storm along the front, not a line of storms that ran the entire length of it.
	Tarrins maneuvers got them away from the storm, but did not let them totally escape from the weather.  The front overtook them from the northwest, moving southeast as they moved southwest, and Tarrin could not evade every storm along the line.  He did his best to stay clear of the thunderstorms, but that required him to fly directly through several showers which thoroughly soaked his rider.
	They flew through the afternoon, running in and out of rain showers, and then finally landed near sunset on the large grassy plain northeast of Pyros, and the plume of smoke rising from the volcano was now clearly visible in the clearing skies.  Tarrin alighted in a flat area that was lower than the surrounding terrain, which had a small brook bubbling through it, and was a good five longspans from the nearest human settlement, a small village of rude mud huts to the southwest.  Dolanna slid down to the ground, her dress clinging to her and her hair plastered to her head, and she quickly moved away from Tarrin so he could shapeshift back into his normal form.
	Ugh, I hate being wet, she complained.  Start a fire, dear one, I need to dry out.
	Tarrin did so with but a thought, creating a ball of fire that hovered over the ground.  Fireflash dropped to the ground and sat before it, letting the heat dry the dampness lingering on his scales as Dolanna rooted through the large pack that the Dura had made for them.  She produced two collapsible tent poles, which she drove into the ground close to the fire, then tied a slender rope between them.  That done, she boldly removed her dress and undergarments and hung them on that line, which surprised Tarrin just a little bit.  Dolanna was a very modest woman in many regards, always dressing conservatively, and it had been the first time outside the baths that she had completely undressed before him in such a manner.
	That should do, she remarked, kneeling down and pulling a blanket from the pack.  Instead of wrapping it around her, she instead spread it on the ground and sat with her legs folded under her, close enough to the fire that it cast her very pale skin with an almost reddish-orange glow.
	Youre getting my bad habits, Dolanna, he noted absently as he pulled out a stewpot, preparing to cook.
	She chuckled.  If it were anyone but you, perhaps I would feel self conscious, she admitted.  Ive been wet all day, and I just want to feel like Im dry for a moment before I get a blanket to wrap myself in.
	You do that in the baths too, he recalled.  Sit on the bench without a towel.
	She nodded.  After bathing, I enjoy the feel of the air drying my skin, and after being wet all day, all I want is to feel dry.  Besides, you always use the excuse that once youve seen it, what use is it to cover it up, so I guess I could use the same defense to enjoy a few moments of nudity, she chuckled.  And even if you did take interest in me in that manner, you could do nothing about it.
	Oh, I can now, he told her.
	What?
	He came over and knelt before her.  She looked up at him curiously, and did nothing as he reached down and took her hand.  But that curious look exploded into pain and fear when he opened his mouth, exposing his fangs, and sank them into her arm.
	Tarrin! she gasped, clutching her bleeding arm to her chest in terror.  What have you done?
	I bit you, he said calmly, going back to his stewpot.  And what do you feel?
	II feel nothing, she said, touching the twin puncture wounds with her fingers.  Pain, yes, but none of the usual warning signs that Ive been infected.
	Youre not infected, he told her.  In fact, youre utterly immune to Lycanthropy.  I could chew your arm off, and it wouldnt do anything to you except maybe take off your arm.
	How did you do this? she asked.
	I did it a while ago, he told her.  There was a Wizard spell in my book, one of Phandebrass spells.  It allows me to do almost anything with it.  The catch is, it can only be cast once by any Wizard.  The spell is gone from my book now, and Ill never be able to memorize it again, even if I find another copy.  Its a spell called Wish.  I used my single casting of the spell to render you immune to Lycanthropy.
	The Wish spell? Dolanna gasped.  Tarrin, are you insane?  Do you know how dangerous that spell is?
	Its dangerous because its granted by the gods, who can be opposed to the objective of the wish, he said.  And right now, where are the gods of this world? he asked pointedly.  The request to fulfill the wish came to me, because I was the divine being in control of the domain where the user of the spell was.  My domain happens to be wherever I am, and since I also cast the spell, that put the caster within my domain.  So, I granted myself the wish exactly the way I intended it to be.  Youre immune to Lycanthropy, and you will be so for as long as you want.  Your children will enjoy the same immunity, and they too will have the option to end the protection and become a Lycanthrope if thats what they want.
	But, but dear one, why do this?  Why didnt you use that Wish to do something important?
	Because youre important to me, Dolanna, and your happiness matters to me very much, he answered honestly, keeping his back to her as he carefully chopped up vegetables into the stewpot.  Haley loves you, Dolanna.  He loves you deeply, and I know you have within yourself the potential to love him in return.  Im not saying you will, but what I am saying is that I want you to have the chance to see if Haley is the man for you.  If he is, now his condition wont stand in your way.  If hes not, well, the gift I gave you has any number of advantages, given your ties to my family.  This way, you never have to worry about becoming infected.  In fact, youll find your condition to have many advantages, once you learn how to use it.
	Dear one, this is a gift you should have given to your sister or your parents, not me! she protested.
	Whos to say I didnt? he asked with a smile.  Carefully built into the conditions of the wish is a way for them to gain your immunity.  Your condition is infectious, Dolanna, just like Lycanthropy, but it will only infect members of my family, and only those who dont already have it.  It will also affect Zyri and Jal, but it will only affect them if theyre in my house.  Anyone blood related to me or to you, and Zyri and Jal, can be granted that immunity.  All you have to do is introduce it into them the same way Id pass Lycanthropy to another.  Bite and draw blood, introduce your blood into their bodies, and so on, and you pass your immunity to them.  Thats something I want you to do for me when you get home, Dolanna.  Pass it on to my parents and sister, and then go to my house in Aldreth and pass it to Zyri and Jal, so they dont have to be careful around my daughters anymore.
	Dolanna put a hand to her stomach.  Dear oneI, I dont know what to say.  This gift youve given me, its a treasure beyond words.  She looked down at her arm, and gasped.  My wounds are gone!
	Like I said, youll find your condition to be very useful, Dolanna, he chuckled.  I bit you, and that introduced my Were abilities into you, but only temporarily.  I didnt bite you hard, so theyll fade relatively quickly.  But, until they do, you have all of my powers as a Were-cat, and none of my weaknesses.  You have my strength, my regeneration, my ability to speak to cats, and if you try very hard, you could even shapeshift.  The more of my spittle or blood gets into you, the longer your borrowed powers would last.  Oh, I suggest you carry around a vial of a Were-cats blood for emergencies, so you have those options.  Jula saved herself by drinking my bloodyou could do the same, but without the permanence of it.  Im not sure the idea of drinking blood like a vampire is very appealing to you, but the benefits shouldnt be overlooked in an emergency.
	Dear one!  That is not possible!
	Whos to say whats possible and whats not? he asked with a shrug.  Possibility is defined by the gods, and the gods arent here.  That means that I can dictate the extent of possibility however I see fit when it regards a wish I tailor-made to fit you.
	Dolanna stared at his back a long moment, then broke down into tears.  Tarrin managed to turn on his knee just quickly enough to catch her as she flung herself into his arms, weeping and embracing him with her temporary impressivevery impressivestrength.  Thank you, my dear one, she sobbed.  You have given me a treasure beyond words.
	Ive given you less than what you deserve, Dolanna, he answered gently, putting a massive paw on her bare back.  Now, what would you like for dinner?
	She looked up at him, then laughed.  Youd think youd have something more meaningful to say than that.
	You dont think dinner is meaningful? he asked, which made her laugh again.  Oh, yes, just so you know, Dolanna.  What youll pass to my family and the cubs, and eventually to your own children, will only be the immunity.  The ability to temporarily gain the powers of others who pass them to you is yours, and yours alone.  I think its important that you make that distinction before someone tries to get creative and ends up getting herself killed.
	I will be sure to make that distinction to Jenna, she said with an impish grin.
	The immunity is my gift to my family.  The ability to gain the powers of another, if only for a short time, is my gift only for you.  Think of it as payment for all those years you stuck with me, just a token of the esteem I have for you, Dolanna.
	Im touched, my dear one, she said, reaching up and putting her hand on his cheek.  Touched beyond words.
	He patted her bare back.  Im glad you like it, Dolanna, he told her.  Now, I have to get back to dinner, and you need to put something on before we eat.
	Surely I dont offend you, dear one, she said with a slight smile.
	No, but I think this cool air is doing more than drying out your skin, going by whats poking me in the chest.
	Dolanna looked down, then blushed rosily.  Yes, well, its purely unintentional, believe me, she said delicately, putting her hands over her breasts unconsciously.  I guess it might be the air.
	That or youre just really excited about my gift, he noted with an ever-so-slight smile, which made her blush deeper.
	You could have been a gentleman and politely ignored it, she accused.  I would say nothing if certain parts of you were, ah, poking.
	Me?  A gentleman?  We have to get you back home before you completely lose your senses, woman, he scoffed, patting her deliberately on the backside as if to reinforce his statement, then letting go of her and wisely getting out of reach before she could react.
	Not that it mattered.  She got up, stalked over to where he left the stewpot, and slapped him quite deliberately on the back of the head.  Ow! he complained, putting a paw over the stuck region.
	Why, I dont know what came over me, she said with utter insincerity.  I guess I must have lost my senses for a moment.  She then put her hands on his shoulder, leaned down over his shoulder, and kissed him on the cheek.  I love you, my dear one, she said playfully, even if you are a crude, unmannered, lascivious boar.
	I love you too, Dolanna, he returned, reaching up over his head and patting her shoulder.  I think its time to turn your dress around.  The cotton is starting to smell a little scorched.
	Ah, thank you, dear one, she said, rushing over to turn her dress so the other side faced the fire.  She dug into the packs and produced a long, thick robe, then pulled it on.  It was a little too large for her, the sleeves dropping down over her hands, but it would serve its purpose.  Is that better, dear one?  Goddess forbid I offend you with my nudity.
	Tarrin laughed.  More like shock the eyes on high with your beauty, he told her.  Youre a very well-proportioned female.  Short, but we all have our flaws.
	She laughed.  Ill take that as the compliment it was meant to be, she told him, sitting back down on the blanket.  When do you see us arriving at Pyros?
	Tomorrow afternoon, he answered.  And we wont waste any time.  Before we even land, well probably have to fight our way to where the One is holding his icon.
	I thought you said that they wouldnt interfere, she said.
	The Demon Lord wont, but theres no doubt that hell throw some of his army at us as a token towards the One.  But when I get there, hell step aside and give me a clear shot.  After all, he has to keep up appearances until the last minute.
	Or what?
	Or the One will try to banish him.  I seriously doubt he could do itafter all, Val couldnt banish the Demon Lord he summoned that started the Blood War, and he wasnt injuredbut hell try.  And that attempt would force the Demon Lord to take attention away from everything else and focus on the One.  It could get ugly.
	Explain it to me, dear one.
	The One summoned the Demon Lord here by using his name, Tarrin said pointedly.  Its the only way to summon a Demon Lord into the mortal plane.
	Ohhh, I understand.  The One would attempt to use the Demon Lords name as a weapon.
	Exactly.  There are lots of really nasty things you can do to a Demo