The elementalist awoke from the deep sleep that the Bronze Man placed her in to silence the darkness. She felt completely refreshed and better than she had in a month. Stretching she heard the voices of her companions echoing throughout the temple and went to investigate.

Alyson entered the main chamber and saw Irzen, Willow, Serna, and Neven with one of the militia guardsmen there as well as The Bronze Man. Walking over and standing next to the cleric, "Oh, hey guys. This is Lazheros, he's an old friend of my Uncle Madeous."

The entire party was stunned to see Alyson although Irzen was the first to speak, "Wait a minute! Didn't we leave you at the inn so you could take a nap?"

"You did?" She blinked then shrugged, "...couldn't sleep. Bad dreams and all. Don't remember anything after that."

"Yeah, what in the Realm are you doing here, Alyson?" Serna asked shaking her head.

"Sleepwalking, I think." The elementalist scratched her head.

"From the inn to this temple?!" Irzen asked with a raised eyebrow, "That must have been one hell of a walk. Did you get your pockets picked along the way?"

Lazheros was glad to see Alyson revived and sensed the darkness sealed away once more. Just as it should be. "Your friends have found themselves in a bit of a fix."

"Really? What happened? Who did it? And why?" She looked kind of confused at the cleric then at the party.

Willow calmly explained to Alyson all that happened in her absence leaving nothing out and holding nothing back.

The elementalist still remembered Willow's brutal honesty. Cut throat as ever, or damning from a certain point of view. She recoiled from him somewhat not sure why it bothered her.

Lazehros took notice of Alyson's body language and placed his hand gently on her shoulder reassuring her that all is well.

"Now do you understand why we are in the mess that we are in?" Irzen asked nonchalantly.

"Okay. So now you're the Realm's version of the 'Scooby Doo?" Alyson chuckled.

"Nope!" The Swordsman smiled, "WE are the Realm's version of Scooby Doo! So, do you want your Scooby Snack now or after this mystery is solved?"

"Meh. Not what I was implying but okay." Alyson face palmed herself.

Willow, Neven and Serna gave each other a look as to wonder what their friends were talking about.

"Scooby Doo. A stage show about of group of young adults and their faithful but skittish hound solving mysteries and foiling the plans of the villains they encountered on a weekly basis." The elementalist told the ranger, thief, and shield maiden.

"OOOOOHHHH!!!" Willow, Serna and Neven replied all in unison.

"Or Thorns in the Realm's most notorious villain," Came another slightly deeper male voice to their left.

Alyson turned, "Uncle Madeous?"

Lazheros bowed then embraced his long time friend, "Madeous! It is good to see you after these long years!" He paused for a moment only to realize, "You haven't aged one bit! Time is truly a blessing for you, my friend!"

Madeous Khyng stood before the group tall and regal. He had earned his stripes, medals, or renown long ago during his days in the Realm. He stood six four and was in excellent physical shape for someone who appeared to be in his late fifties. His platinum hair with a matching goatee gleamed in the light of the temple and his baby blue eyes reflected a commanding gaze. He was dressed in regal attire of blue, silver, and gold. No weapons were visible to the party save for Lazheros's natural true seeing ability. On either side of him, was a Dragonee, the color of brass. Half dragon, half lion each the size of a pony.

"Madeous Khyng!" Irzen smiled as he extended his hand in friendship, "Your niece has told us a lot about you."

"And what Alyson has not told us, your tales of bravery and cunning more than make up for," Willow concluded, "It is both a pleasure and an honor to meet you, good sir."

"Um, forgive my ignorance," Neven spoke up, "But aside from being Alyson's niece, who are you really, sir?"